Smn 02 18 15

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Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

February 18-24, 2015 Vol. 16 Iss. 38

Lake Junaluska renovates Terrace Hotel Page 4

YMCA to break ground on Camp Watia in Swain Page 19

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: After contracting with the American Red Cross for 30 years, Mission Health has signed a three-year agreement with The Blood Connection, a regional blood bank based in Piedmont, South Carolina, to be the sole provider of blood for its hospitals. Physicians, employees and blood donors weigh in on how the decision may affect long-time blood donors. (Page 6-8)

News Lake Junaluska Terrace Hotel gets upgraded ......................................................4 Dillsboro allocates $25K for economic incentives ............................................9 Canton questions Labor Day changes................................................................10 Haywood health service report goes missing ..................................................11 YMCA summer camp coming to Swain County ..............................................13 Ghost Town cross in holding pattern ..................................................................14 Land purchase underway for Cherokee pool ....................................................17

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Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing).

CONTACT

Opinion For some, facts just don’t matter..........................................................................22

A&E Haywood artisan receives prestigious recognition ..........................................26

WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

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INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

Outdoors Maggie musher takes up snowless dog sledding............................................34

CORRECTION

February 18-24, 2015

In a Feb. 4 story about a charter school that’s planning to open in Haywood County this year, SMN said that Shining Rock Classical Academy will not be offering before- or after-school care. Though Shining Rock does not currently have a plan in place for before- or after-school care, the school is looking for community partners to help offer those opportunities and says they will become available if the demand is there.

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MountainEats.com An online dining directory for Western North Carolina presented by Smoky Mountain Living magazine.

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February 18-24, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

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Room with a view Lake Junaluska pins hopes on total Terrace overhaul to win next generation of visitors

Smoky Mountain News

February 18-24, 2015

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ack Ewing stepped over a pail of drywall mud, dodged electrical wires dangling from the ceiling and picked his way across construction debris littering the bare concrete floor of the gutted Terrace Hotel room.

“Just look at that view,” he said, sidling up to the sixth-floor window overlooking Lake Junaluska.

A driving winter wind whipped up a froth of white caps on the water below. The panoramic ring of mountain peaks was locked in a bitter clash with the grey sky, and already starting to frost over — like a real-life IMAX of the impending storm Monday.

“There is probably not a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express in America with the views the Terrace has,” said Ewing, the director of Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. “Soon we’ll have the inner spaces that match the views.”

In just two months, the shell of the Terrace Hotel will go from gutted to putback-together following a $3.2 million total renovation.

It’s an aggressive timetable, but a necessary one, given the tens of thousands of conference center guests who make the pilgrimage to Lake Junaluska each year to partake in the robust schedule of retreats, gatherings and meetings held here.

The Terrace has long been the workhorse of the retreat center’s accommodations. But a major makeover has been long overdue.

So overdue, in fact, that the conference center was slowly losing business because its rooms weren’t up to modern expectations.

4 The marketing and booking staff would often

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A $3.2 million renovation of the Terrace Hotel at Lake Junaluska (top) will reposition the conference and retreat center to meet the modern expecations of guests. Above: Jack Ewing, executive director of the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, stands amid construction debris in the Terrace Hotel. Donated illustration • Becky Johnson photo hear, “Well we would come, but your facilities are dated, they are tired,” Ewing said.

Getting rid of the old floral bedspreads, replacing the nicked furniture and adding more electrical charging banks for the arsenal of digital devices travelers have in tow these days — a makeover known as a “refresh” in the hotel world — wouldn’t be enough. The Terrace rooms were stuck in the past and

With the Terrace renovations making it more attractive to business and leisure travelers, that also positions Lake Junaluska as a more formidable competitor in the overnight accommodation industry.

Ewing believes everyone will benefit by Lake Junaluska becoming a bigger player, however.

“We are a huge economic engine for Haywood County. And we do it in a way that we think adds great value to the county and to all the business in the county,” Ewing said. “If we are successful, more people will come to Haywood County and everybody wins.”

There’s another 300 rooms on the conference center campus — 131 at the historic Lambuth, and the rest scatted across a collection of more humble motel-style rooms and extended stay apartments.

The Lambuth was initially going to be first in line for a major renovation, but it would cost more and take longer, so the Terrace was moved ahead in the plan.

The Terrace is the first major facility renovation, but not the first undertaking in the new campus master plan.

Small pieces chipped away at so far have focused almost entirely on the public sphere of the lakeshore — a new pier, new boat rental area and boat launch, a new playground, walking path improvements and a restoration of the shoreline itself.

In the true spirit of Lake Junaluska, the grounds projects were funded entirely by charitable giving and donations from the

needed a renovation that went the distance.

“We hope groups who had previously chosen not to come to Junaluska because of the dated facilities will now choose to come,” Ewing said. “And we hope the groups who have historically come to the lake will be pleased.”

The Terrace is the biggest swing yet at a campus master plan aimed at reversing a slow, gradual decline of the buildings and grounds. Lake Junaluska was founded more than 100 years ago as a summer retreat for Methodists. Those early roots are still evident, both in its storied lin“As we make decisions, it is eage as a gathering place and, on the not-so-positive side, in its always based on ‘Is this going to dated infrastructure. be helping us to better fulfill our The master plan is so sweeping it will touch nearly all the facilities mission?’” on the vast campus over the coming decade and a half. Deciding — Jack Ewing what to tackle first and in what order can be daunting, however.

“We always begin with our mission. We large stable of loyal supporters.

“People love Lake Junaluska, and they are a place of Christian hospitality, where lives are transformed through renewal of want to give,” Ewing said.

Even the Terrace renovation has benefited soul, mind and body,” Ewing said. “As we make decisions, it is always based on ‘Is from philanthropy, but a project of that scale this going to be helping us to better fulfill obviously required a loan. Ewing said the Assembly didn’t have any trouble getting a our mission?’”

Group conferences and gatherings will loan for the project.

In fact, “we had lenders coming to us,” always be Lake Junaluska’s forte. Until recently, the Terrace would simply close if there Ewing said.

Going forward, money will be put in weren’t any group bookings on the schedule, sometimes for entire weeks during winter escrow each year to cover the cost of periodic months, or mid-week blocks during the renovations at the Terrace so it won’t go so long without being updated. shoulder seasons.

The Terrace underwent some prelimiWhile individual business-and-leisure travel is a very small segment of its market nary remodeling of the main lobby in 2012, historically, it’s a segment the conference and complete mattress replacements over center has been actively trying to build as a the past two years. Adding those in, the total key to increasing its occupancy rates — Terrace renovation project clocks in close to which in turn will help Lake Junaluska $3.5 million.

Still on the wish list is a total renovation of remain financially sound, and ultimately, the in-house Terrace dining room and an keep fulfilling its mission.

“The big picture for us is always about exterior facelift.

The price-point for the Terrace is in the how do we continue to make improvements that make Lake Junaluska attractive for peo- $100-a-night range, with tiered pricing for ple to come and most importantly, no matter premium rooms — those with top-floor views if they come for an event or just come to walk of the lake, for example.

A grand opening is planned for April 16, around the lake, that they experience a sense with details to be announced. of renewal,” Ewing said.

BY B ECKY JOHNSON County. There are several preschool centers STAFF WRITER that offer formal, curriculum-based pre ore kids will get a critical early start kindergarten classes as well. in education thanks to an expansion A few are private preschools that offer of the pre kindergarten program pre-K classes on a full-tuition basis only, but offered on-site at public schools in they are in high demand and can be tough to Haywood County. get into.

Until now, the in-house pre kindergarten Others offer a mix of slots — some for program run by the school system has been kids paying full tuition out-of-pocket and for low-income children only and funded some for kids who qualify for state and fedentirely by government subsidies. But eral subsidies. despite the proven importance of kinderBefore opening up its pre-K program to garten readiness, there’s not enough state private tuition-paying students, the school and federal funding to serve all the kids who system questioned whether it would be technically qualify for subsidized pre kinder- unduly competing with existing preschool garten, leading to a perpetual shortage of centers that have pre-K programs. pre-K slots.

“We wanted to make sure this new “We always have a waiting list,” said service did not compete financially with Assistant Superintendent Bill Nolte. our community childcare providers,” said But even for middle- and upper-income Anne Garrett, Haywood Schools families paying out-of-pocket, it can be Superintendent. tough to find space in a formal, curriculumThe school system surveyed pre-K prodriven pre-K program, simply due to high grams in the county to verify that they, too, demand and limited supply. have waiting lists, even for students paying “There are waiting lists all over the place for four-year-olds in the county,” Nolte said. “Hopefully we can fill that void and achieve some educational goals at the same time.”

A pre-kindergarten program run by Haywood The expansion is a classic winCounty Schools will be expanding next year. win, Nolte said. The pre-K program There are currently pre-K classes at Hazelwood, will be opened up to those paying Central, Jonathan Valley and Meadowbrook elementuition out-of-pocket. That move, taries. Two new Pre-K classes will be added, and in in turn, makes it possible to also the name of geographic parity, will be sited in add slots for low-income kids on Bethel, Clyde or Canton. subsidies.

The pre-K classes are open to any child in the There will be 24 slots created county, regardless of whether they are in that for private-pay kids and eight new school’s district. A random drawing will determine subsidized slots, moving from a who gets the limited number of private-pay slots. total of 64 to 72 slots.

Contact the school system for more information The school system has been on enrollment. looking for ways to eek out more slots for low-income kids, given the waiting list each year. But the school system tuition out-of-pocket, to make sure it wouldreceives limited funding for subsidized pren’t be horning in on private facilities by tapK, which in turn limits the number of stuping the same pool of families. dents it can serve.

Also, the school system has intentionally Nolte described the new model as a num- priced tuition on the higher side. bers game. Each pre-K class has two teachers “We were also very careful not to underand 16 kids. The school system had enough cut private programs in the community,” funding for a few more kids, but not enough Nolte said. to add a whole additional class.

Haywood is borrowing the new model But by padding the enrollment with from other counties that already pad their kids paying their own way, the school syspre-K programs with tuition-paying kids to tem could round out the roster to make up maximize the total number of subsidized a full class. And by spreading the privateslots they can offer. Polk County in particpay kids around, the school system will ular was cited as an example, and its actually end up with two more classes than robust pre-K program could be a factor it had before. that makes it a top-performing school sys“I feel like we have really created sometem, Nolte said. thing with nothing here,” Nolte said.

Nolte cautioned that the school-run preUnder the new model, six elementary K may not be ideal for working parents who schools will have an in-house pre-K class — need all-day, year-round childcare. compared to four currently — with 12 slots “This is not childcare, this is school,” in each class for low-income children on sub- Nolte said. sidies and four slots for those paying private The pre-K program operates on a stantuition. dard school schedule, with no gap care durThe program run by the school system ing summers and holidays or during fall, isn’t the only pre-K option in Haywood winter and spring breaks.

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Haywood Schools think outside the box to bring pre-K to more kids

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More pre-K on the way

QUESTION: I have lactose intolerance. Is it better for me to buy goat's milk and cheeses than cow's milk and cheeses?

ANSWER: Lactose is the naturally occurring sugar found in

Sheep and goats milk have different fat molecules than cow's milk and so some find it easier to digest. You can find lactose-free or lactose reduced cow's milk at Ingles. A new brand of cow's milk called Fairlife, has been specially filtered and has the lactase enzyme added so it is lactose free.

TIP: If you have lactose intolerance eat products with lactose with other foods to lessen the effect or try taking an over-thecounter Lactaid pills that contain the lactase enzyme.

Smoky Mountain News

As far as cheeses, if the cheese is aged, the lactose (milk sugar) will have been consumed during the aging process and so an aged cheese (example: aged Parmesan) should be much better tolerated than a new cheese (example: Mozzarella).

February 18-24, 2015

milk from mammals whether cow, sheep or goats. Some individuals have lactose intolerance or acquire this as they grow older. Their bodies do not produce enough of the enzyme (lactase) to help digest the lactose so they have gastrointestinal issues like gas, bloating and diarrhea.

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Becky Johnson photo

The battle for blood Mission Health changes blood supplier

Smoky Mountain News

February 18-24, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR oyal blood donors will no longer see the iconic red cross on the side of the blood mobile next time they give blood at one of Mission Health’s 17 facilities in Western North Carolina.

Mission has signed a new contract with The Blood Connection, a regional blood bank out of Piedmont, South Carolina, to be its sole provider of blood for the next three years.

“We provided supplemental blood supply for Mission for a couple of years, and once their contract (with the Red Cross) was up, they re-evaluated and found that we better met their needs,” said Donna Ehrlich, marketing and public relations manager for Blood Connection.

Red Cross, the nation’s largest blood collection organization, has contracted with Mission for 30 years. This new agreement means that The Blood Connection will be holding blood drives at Mission’s hospitals.

Blood donations to the Red Cross are sent to partnering hospitals all over the country, but Blood Connection has guaranteed Mission that all blood donated through its organization will stay local for the benefit of the community.

“The decision to change blood suppliers was not based on quality reasons as much as it was about the availability of products,” said Priscilla Cherry, system executive director of laboratory services at Mission Health. “Our patients can be assured that the blood supplied for Mission Health has always been of the safest and highest quality. We are excited 6 to begin this new partnership with The Blood

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Connection and anticipate many years of successful collaboration.”

WHAT IS BLOOD CONNECTION? Founded in 1979, The Blood Connection is a nonprofit community blood center that collects, processes and distributes blood products and services for local and regional hospitals.

The blood bank is based in Piedmont, South Carolina, and currently serves upstate South Carolina, some of Western North Carolina and Stephens County, Georgia. It has contract agreements with Mission, the VA Hospital in Asheville, Pardee Hospital and Park Ridge Health in Hendersonville and St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus.

Ehrlich said Blood Connection offers several advantages over Red Cross, including being regional, doing all biologic processing in-house and having a quick turnaround time at the lab, which is used to help determine specifics in blood types.

“We have an extensive blood supply — our goal is to collect 500 units every day,” she said. “We have 13 blood mobiles, inside setups for large blood drives, and we do it seven days a week.”

Blood Connection has a donation center in Hendersonville and has mobile blood drives all over the region. Donors can also give platelets and plasma at the Hendersonville center. A majority of the people found running a Red Cross blood drive are volunteers, but Blood Connection’s drives are operated by employees.

“We’re a nonprofit that shares the same life-saving mission as Red Cross,” Ehrlich said. “The big difference is we are regional.

They have a national mission — they provide 40 percent of the national blood supply,

Upcoming Blood Connection blood drives • 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Mission Hospital, 501 Biltmore Ave., Asheville.

• 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at McDowell Hospital, 430 Rankin Drive, Marion.

• 7:30 a.m.-noon Feb. 27 at Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville.

Blood donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 828.213.2222, option #2.

2013 blood collections Plasma ........................................4,361 units Platelets ....................................23,059 units Red blood cells............................1,397 units

and the rest is dependent on individual blood banks like ours.”

All the Blood Connection’s supply is committed to contracting hospitals, but if there is ever any left over, Ehrlich said it could be sent out of the region to help other areas in need.

For example, Blood Connection could send extra blood to the coast via the Red Cross if a natural disaster occurred.

And vice versa — if Blood Connection for some reason couldn’t meet a sudden increase in need at the hospitals it contracts with, it would turn to Red Cross for more supply.

“Fortunately, we’ve never run out — we’ve never had that situation, but we all share that lifesaving mission, and I imagine we would reach out to (Red Cross) because we guarantee the hospitals,” Ehrlich said.

But the other big difference has to do with cost. Ehrlich said its board of directors mandated that its fees be set 15 percent below the national average. The Blood Connection cen-

tralizes donor recruitment, blood collection and inventory management to more efficiently reduce waste, prevent delayed surgeries and provide local hospitals with efficiencies.

These initiatives also allow for cost reductions, and closely mirrors Mission Health’s mission: “to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”

Like Red Cross, Ehrlich said, Blood Connection has a solid donor base, but she admits that Blood Connection doesn’t have the donor loyalty in Western North Carolina at this point. As the blood bank begins to schedule more mobile drives in the area, it hopes to educate more people about its local mission.

“We promote blood donation. If you’re loyal with Red Cross, we applaud that,” she said. “But we also want to educate people because we know they do it because they’re helping fellow community members.”

As an incentive to recruit and retain new donors, Blood Connection has a Donor Retention Program that encourages first-time donors to return throughout the year to receive rewards. The program is geared toward attracting younger donors who can receive music download cards and Starbucks gift cards.

“It is our true honor to be partnering with Mission Health,” Delisa English, Blood Connection’s president and CEO, said in a press release. “We are committed to providing excellent blood products and services to the hospitals and communities we serve.”

For more information about The Blood Connection, visit www.thebloodconnection.org.

CONTRACT WITH MISSION

Blood Connection is still pretty unknown in Western North Carolina, but the new contract with Mission Health will likely increase the blood bank’s visibility in the region.

Mission’s hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard.

Cherry said Mission’s decision to switch from Red Cross to Blood Connection really came down to a supply and demand issue.

“We were having issues with getting supply of certain components,” she said. “We provide trauma services for 18 counties, so we need to have sufficient inventory on hand.”

Blood Connection has been a supplemental supplier for Mission for several years and finally reached a point where it could manage being the sole provider. Cherry said after having supply problems for a while contracting with Red Cross, Mission put out a request for proposals and found Blood Connection had the best bid.

All hospital administrations participated in reviewing the applications and agreed unanimously that Blood Connection was the best bet. Cherry said contractual costs of blood products are confidential; however, she did confirm that the new agreement with The Blood Connection provides costsavings to Mission.

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Blood donors show loyalty to Red Cross

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• • • •

Donors can give blood every 56 days Donors can give platelets every 7 days 1 pint of blood can save 3 lives Every 2 seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion 5 million patients in the U.S. need blood every year Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood Platelets, critical for cancer patients, have a five-day shelf life Only 7 percent of the U.S. population has the universal blood type of O negative

Cycle of donated blood

Colin Ramsey gives blood at a recent American Red Cross mobile blood drive at Hazelwood Elementary School. Becky Johnson photo

Upcoming Red Cross blood drives

else in need.

“My son had to have two units a few years back and someone donated on his behalf, so I’ve just continued to do it for someone else,” he said.

He wasn’t aware of Mission’s change in suppliers but said it probably wouldn’t change his donation habits. He’d like to see his donation help someone locally first, but if his blood

Cherry said the blood inventory on reserve at the hospital depended on the blood type and the standards set by the American Association of Blood Banks. By using Blood Connection, she said, the blood

S EE R ED CROSS, PAGE 8

collected here stays here. She added that blood collected here through the Red Cross has to be sent to the regional center in Charlotte and then is redistributed anywhere needed.

Mission knows it will be a difficult task to convert Red Cross donors into Blood Connection donors.

“We’re trying to get the word out to let people know they are not a new supplier and asking to please support them,” Cherry said.

“There’s always going to be competition, but we need to let donors know this is the center we’re using.”

Harris Regional Hospital, Swain County Hospital and Haywood Regional Medical Center currently contract with Red Cross for

2014 statistics • 5.3 million units of blood collected • 3.1 million volunteer blood donors • 8 million transfusable blood products distributed • 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers Source: www.redcrossblood.org

Smoky Mountain News

— Donna Ehrlich, marketing and public relations manager for Blood Connection

is needed elsewhere, that’s OK by him.

“But I will likely stay with Red Cross.

They helped me, not just with blood donation, but when I went through the floods in 2004 in this county, they were there to help me in a number of different ways,” he said.

“I lost the house and 90 percent of what I owned — loyalty means something.”

Williams said she rests easy knowing blood donated to Red Cross helps people locally and sends blood, plasma and platelets to those in need throughout the country.

“If you have a niece in Kansas City and she had a baby that needed a certain component of blood that no one else in Kansas had – we’re going to find that component,” she said. “If there is a disaster somewhere and roofs are falling in and people are hurt and need blood, we would send it. That’s where I’d want my donation to go.”

Williams said she hopes the Red Cross’ customer service and volunteer base will speak for itself during this transition. She’s

1. Registration — Give health history and get a brief physical 2. Donation — Once eligibility is established, the blood is drawn, taking about 10 minutes 3. Documentation — Each unit of blood taken is given a number, which is scanned into a computer and can be tracked.

4. Separation — Blood can be processed into red cells, platelets and plasma.

Spinning them through a centrifuge separates the components.

5. Testing — Blood type is determined and then the blood is tested for several transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases.

6. Quality assurances — If any blood tests positive for disease, the donor is notified and the blood destroyed.

7. Storage — Blood is labeled and sorted by type.

8. Shipping — Blood is shipped to hospitals across the country.

February 18-24, 2015

• 2:30-7 p.m. Feb. 19 at American Legion, 171 Legion Drive, Waynesville.

• 12:30-5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Haywood Community College, 185 Freelander Dr., Clyde.

• 1:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at North Canton Elementary, 60 Thompson St., Canton.

• 1-5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Evergreen Packaging, 34 Park St., Canton.

“We’re a nonprofit that shares the same life-saving mission as Red Cross. The big difference is we are regional. They have a national mission — they provide 40 percent of the national supply and the rest is dependent on individual blood banks like ours.”

f “It’s a better cost for the hospital and a better relationship,” Cherry said. “All the hospitals were impressed with what they were doing and have had a positive experience with them — and if they’re happy, I’m happy.”

• • • •

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BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he new contract Mission Health signed with The Blood Connection for blood products will affect the American Red Cross’ collections in Western North Carolina, but Red Cross employees and volunteers hope donors will remain loyal to their cause.

Blood Connection, a regional nonprofit blood bank in Piedmont, South Carolina, will now be setting up blood drives at Mission hospitals in the region, forcing Red Cross to find new sponsors willing to accommodate its mobile drives.

Angie Williams, who has been a Red Cross team supervisor for 12 years, said she is afraid donors won’t know the difference in organizations.

“Unfortunately, I think it will hurt us,” she said. “I think donors don’t know exactly who Blood Connection is — they think we’re all tied in together.”

Her job is to supervise up to 11 mobile blood drives on any given day and to meet daily blood donation quotas. She makes sure her staff members and volunteers have what they need to make the blood drive a smooth process for donors.

Williams said donations overall are on the rise, even though holidays and summer months are a tough time to get donors to come out and give because so many people go out of town.

She said she was afraid Mission’s switch to Blood Connection might reduce Red Cross donations. Unlike Blood Connection, she said, Red Cross couldn’t offer free gifts as incentive to recruit new and younger donors.

Mission said another plus with contracting with The Blood Connection was that all the blood being supplied would stay local.

But long-time blood donors don’t seem to care whether their donation helps someone in Western North Carolina or someone on the other side of the country.

Haywood County resident David Willett has donated about 60 pints of blood in his lifetime. He returns to a Red Cross blood drive about every 60 days to donate, and he does it just for the sake of helping someone

Donation facts

blood. In January, Rutherford Regional Health System announced it would be contracting with American Red Cross again for its blood supplier. Previously, RRHS had contracted with The Blood Connection since the fall of 2012, but the hospital recently entered into a joint venture with Duke LifePoint Healthcare, and all Duke LifePoint hospitals have a contractual arrangement with Red Cross.

“The move in no way reflects a dissatisfaction with The Blood Connection, and we greatly appreciate the service that organization provided us over the last two years,” said Matt Webber, administrative director of marketing and business development with RRHS. 7

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R ED CROSS, CONTINUED FROM 7

may pass those costs on to the individual patients who use blood products during treatment.”

She said the Red Cross cost recovery fees are determined by both market-level and hospital-level factors. The fees include costs associated with testing each unit of blood, recruitment and screening of donors, blood bags and equipment used to collect blood, the actual collection and processing of blood products, storing blood products and distributing blood components to where they’re needed most.

“Specific cost-recovery fees are confidential per our hospital agreements,” she added.

According to Red Cross’ 2014 annual

had several donors tell her that they have given to both organizations and decided to stick with Red Cross.

“One lady said the last couple times at Blood Connection it was a bad experience,” she said. “They get the job done but we have the customer service and we take care of our donors.”

Susan Sikorya, a Red Cross collection specialist, was working at a recent blood drive organized locally at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Clyde. As she told her story, she was collecting blood from Rick Silveira of Waynesville — someone who donates as often as he can.

Not only has Sikorya worked for Red Cross for nearly 10 years, she has been on the receiving end of Red Cross’ • Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in mission.

1881 after being inspired by the Red Cross networks in “I’ve needed blood twice in Europe. my life — once for emergency • The Red Cross received ratification of the Geneva surgery when I needed plasma Convention to protect the war-injured in 1882. and then eight months later I • Red Cross received its first congressional charter in had hernia surgery and needed 1900. Its most recent version of the charter was blood,” she said. “I know my adopted in May 2007. job has purpose.”

• At the military’s request during World War II, the Red Silveira said he would conCross initiated a national blood program that collected tinue to give blood through 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces. the Red Cross even though • The first civilian blood program was introduced after Mission Hospital is now conWWII and now supplies 40 percent of blood and blood tracting with The Blood products in the U.S. Connection.

• The Red Cross engineered a modernization of its blood Carol Honeycutt, blood service operations in the 1990s to improve the safety drive coordinator for Long’s of blood products through new testing for HIV, Chapel, said more than 80 Hepatitis B and C and other viruses. people had signed up that day • The Red Cross holds more than 200,000 blood drives to give blood despite the winevery year and provides blood for patients in about tery mix weather outside.

2,700 hospitals across the U.S. Walk-ins are also welcome.

She said she wasn’t worried report, the demand for blood services has about losing any loyal donors to Blood decreased because medical treatment Connection. Her challenge, and Red Cross’ advancements have minimized the need for challenge, has always been getting younger transfusions. Despite that trend, donations people to start donating. are still critical since only a fraction of the “We have people who have given for people eligible to give blood actually do. years, but we’re losing some and we need to Red Cross must collect about 15,000 get some younger people started,” she said. units every day to meet the needs of accident In her experience, she knows that once victims, cancer patients, children with blood people in the 18-to-30 age group donate for disorders and others. Lewis said the the first time, they will keep coming back.

Carolinas Blood Services Region, which “Once they donate, they realize it isn’t as includes North Carolina, Tennessee, South bad as they think,” she added.

Carolina and Georgia, had nearly 203,000 in fiscal year 2014. She said a strong OST OF BLOOD donors donor base allows Red Cross to be able to supply hospitals with rare blood types, plasWhile Blood Connection is only a blood bank, blood collection is only a por- ma and platelets.

Lewis said Mission’s new contract with tion of Red Cross’ overall mission, which includes disaster relief. A broader mission Blood Connection would not change Red Cross’ goal to supply blood to anyone who and a national network result in larger overhead costs, one reason why Red Cross needs it.

“The Red Cross values our relationship may charge higher fees than Blood with Mission Health, and we will continue to Connection. be ready to respond to requests for blood “The Red Cross, like other not-for-profit products,” she said. “As a national network, blood centers, charges a cost-recovery fee to the Red Cross has a unique responsibility to hospitals and transfusion centers for the help ensure blood is available for patients costs associated with providing blood to whenever and wherever it is needed. We patients,” said Natividad Lewis, external remain committed to all the communities we communications manager for Red Cross in serve — whether by providing lifesaving Charlotte. “The Red Cross does not charge blood products or preventing, preparing and blood recipients for the blood itself. responding to local emergencies.”

However, a hospital or transfusion center

American Red Cross history

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structure subsidies, such as reduced prices on sewer or water fees.

The board can create a stated policy that outlines what kinds of business are eligible for what kind of incentive, Price said, or it could go for a discretionary policy, a “menu” of incentives that are available.

“It’s important that everyone doesn’t necessarily qualify. It’s your discretion whether you want to award grants or not,” Price said.

The Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority, on whose board Fitzgerald serves, is also looking at creating some economic incentive policies. TWASA charges impact fees to new developments to help cover the cost of delivering water and sewer service, but

“A lot of times when you talk about incentives, people think you’re talking about giving away the farm. There’s multiple things that can be looked at as being incentives.”

— Rich Price, Jackson County Economic Development Director

the authority is looking at developing policies to keep those fees from deterring new businesses.

“We’ve been working on a formula to lessen the severity of the impact fees when someone opens a business. But it’s still in the production stage,” Fitzgerald said.

Over the coming months, Dillsboro will continue to hammer out exactly what its poli-

Though Dillsboro houses its share of thriving business, there are plenty of empty storefronts around town, too. The town board hopes to develop some incentives for new businesses to fill them. Holly Kays photo cies should look like, Fitzgerald said. They’ve agreed on an amount of money to set aside for economic development, but they’re not yet decided on how to use it.

“We need some advice,” he said. “We’ve never done this before.”

But it’s got to happen, he said, telling the board about his own experience riding the train from Bryson City, only to find very few things to do in Dillsboro upon arriving.

“When the passengers come to town, our area’s getting a black eye because they ride the train from Bryson City, and with nothing open it’s hard to get a drink or something to eat,” he said. “It bothers me when we have visitors come to our part of the country and we have a less than stellar presentation.”

It doesn’t have to be that way.

“I believe, personally, that there’s a lot of

Nonprofit manufacturer expanding in Sylva

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“We don’t feel that anything that Webster Enterprises is doing there as far as manufacturing is going to devalue the property or add extra traffic to that road,” he told the board.

Webster Enterprises’ operations will, however, add value to the county’s labor market.

The organization provides jobs and training for people with disabilities or other employment disadvantages. Currently employing about 65 people, Webster Enterprises has a long history of producing disposable medical devices but has recently expanded its operations to offer commercial sewing services as well, taking on contracts to produce items ranging from baby bedding to grass catchers for lawn mowers.

That expansion came with demand for more space. In the short term, Webster

expects to add 30 more jobs with the commercial sewing business and to continue growing that number as the business takes off.

That’s why the nonprofit signed a oneyear lease — with option to renew — for the old Ashley Company building in Sylva.

Ultimately, they’re planning to expand their existing facility on Little Savannah Road, but in the meantime they need a place to work on the contracts that are already coming in.

“It’s probably going to be a year before we get everything together and then in six months to a year, depending on what time we let the contract, we should have the building in operation,” Robinson said of the plans to expand.

Robinson expects the expansion to cost about $900,000 and said a hefty portion of those funds will have to come from grants,

fundraising and low-interest loans.

“A lot of our profits from the manufacturing goes into providing training opportunities, which a normal manufacturing operation would not have,” Robinson explained.

So, while business is doing well, Webster Enterprises isn’t left with as much money for out-of-pocket expansion as a typical business would.

He expects Webster Enterprises to continue to grow, though, because of the demand for both the product and the employment.

“We have almost 10,000 people in our area that we serve that are working age that have a disability,” he said, adding that Webster targets its service to Jackson, Swain and Macon counties. “Although the unemployment rate is under 5 percent in the normal population, for people with disabilities it’s somewhere between 60 and 75 percent, so there’s a lot of people out there that need help.”

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Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ebster Enterprises is settling into its newly leased building on Harold Street in Sylva following the town board’s unanimous vote to approve a conditional-use permit for the nonprofit.

“We were delighted about it,” said Gene Robinson, executive director of Webster Enterprises.

As part of the permit, the building’s owner will have to put in five-foot sidewalks and plant a 12-foot landscaping buffer along its border with Harold Street. The owner will also continue working through some ongoing drainage issues, said John Jeleniewski, the county’s code compliance officer. Overall, he recommended that the town board approve the permit.

value in this little town and a lot of things that potentially can be done,” Price told the board.

The town is at the intersection of multiple U.S. highways and not far from Western Carolina University. Even though the railroad no longer has Dillsboro as its hub, it still runs routes that bring more than 20,000 people to town each year. There’s plenty of opportunity for Dillsboro to thrive, Price said.

There’s still a few months to go before tourist season kicks in, Fitzgerald said. In the meantime, hopefully the board will be able to develop an incentive policy that will give future seasons in Dillsboro a lot more hustle and bustle.

“I go back to the old adage of you have to give people a reason to be somewhere before they’ll be somewhere,” Price said. “That applies to any town or any business.”

February 18-24, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t’s been a tough few years for the tiny town of Dillsboro. Ever since the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad moved its depot in 2008 to Bryson City, the town has seen rough times, reflected in the vacant storefronts of the many tourist-oriented business that have closed their doors since then.

“Around Christmastime when we have the Christmas lights out, it’s kind of dark at some of the stores and eerie to be walking around,” said Mayor Mike Fitzgerald.

But after designating $25,000 in economic incentive money last week, the town board is hoping to reverse that situation.

“I think we’re going to have to be proactive,” said Vice Mayor David Jones.

Being proactive, the town board decided, meant developing a way to dole out incentives to businesses looking to make an investment in Dillsboro.

“A lot of times when you talk about incentives, people think you’re talking about giving away the farm,” said Jackson County Economic Development Director Rich Price, who had been invited to the meeting.

“There’s multiple things that can be looked at as being incentives.”

In fact, Price has been studying up on the issue for the county, working with County Manager Chuck Wooten to put together a set of economic incentive policies for county commissioners to consider later this year.

Incentives can take a number of forms.

For example, they can include cash grants or property tax rebates based on the number of jobs a company creates, or they can be infra-

news

Dillsboro allocates $25K for economic incentives

news

Haywood Schools stick with national firm over local cleaning company

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he Haywood County School Board followed the recommendation of school cafeteria workers this month and voted to continue buying cleaning chemicals exclusively from a national company, despite promising a local supplier that he would have a chance to bid on the contract for the next school year.

Dish soap, rinse agent, oven cleaner and sundry cleaning chemicals used in Haywood’s school cafeterias made headlines last year after a national company edged out a local one that was historically the go-to supplier.

Alison Francis, who is over Haywood school cafeterias, claimed the national company, EcoLab, was cheaper and the quality of cleaning products was better.

Bruce Johnson, owner of Champion Supply and an active business and civic leader in Haywood County, claimed at the time that the rushed bidding process was flawed and he wasn’t given an adequate chance to demonstrate that his products were just as good and less expensive than EcoLab’s.

With the start of school just a few weeks away last August, the school board went with Francis’ new pick of EcoLab, but promised Johnson verbally that before renewing the contract for the following school year he would have a chance to rebid.

That didn’t happen, however.

Last week, about two dozen cafeteria workers showed up at a school board meeting where Francis made a pitch to roll over the

February 18-24, 2015

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Smoky Mountain News

“I think we need to listen to our staff. If that’s what they are telling us, that’s what we need to do.”

— Lynn Milner, school board member

the school system bought cleaning chemicals exclusively from Johnson — about 200 fewer students. And that could mean less meals being served, and fewer trays and dishes being washed. The occasional use of disposable trays and silverware would also have a bearing on the volume of cleaning chemicals being used.

But cost aside, cafeteria workers said they

Cafeteria workers in Haywood County came to last week’s school board meeting in a show of solidarity over which cleaning products they want the school system to purchase. Becky Johnson photo like the EcoLab cleaning chemicals better.

They also like the smaller-sized packaging, which is easier to manage.

“Anything we can do to make their job a little bit easier is appreciated,” Francis told the school board.

Johnson was not contacted by anyone with the school system ahead of the vote.

Johnson said he had still been under the impression he would be allowed to make a renewed case for next year’s contract.

Since the contract didn’t go out to bid until summer last time, Johnson didn’t know it was even being talked about yet, let alone that a decision would be made so soon without rebidding it as initially promised.

But Francis said there was another vari-

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR anton will continue researching recommended changes to the town’s Labor Day celebration despite several aldermen expressing reservations about changing the venue and recruiting a national headlining band for a Sunday night concert.

After mulling over proposed changes presented at a recent workshop, the aldermen said they heard from several concerned constituents who weren’t in favor of the recommended changes.

Alderman Ralph Hamlett asked if local churches had been asked whether a Sunday night concert at Pisgah High’s stadium would interfere with Sunday night services.

Alderman Carole Edwards said her church typically didn’t have Sunday night services on a holiday weekend, but she would still like to make sure the churches don’t have a problem with it.

Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss said the town would be happy to poll local churches.

“We don’t want to disenfranchise anyone,” he said.

“That’s why we’re trying to include religious services by starting (festivities) later on Sunday and by having gospel music.”

Edwards also said constituents were concerned about moving the music and vendors downtown. They would

able at play that made time of the essence this year. Haywood school cafeterias pool their purchases with Buncombe and Henderson county schools for better buying power on everything from food to cleaning supplies.

Buncombe’s cafeteria manager told Francis that Buncombe was going to keep buying from EcoLab, and if Haywood wanted to rebid on their end, they would be on their own.

“If you want me to rebid, I will not have the purchasing power of Buncombe and Henderson counties,” Francis told the school board last week.

The cafeteria workers who turned out in a show of solidarity for Francis and EcoLab clapped following the school board’s unanimous vote.

nesses just like Materfest did. While he has concerns too about the additional costs and eliminating mechanical rides, he said the board needed to be willing to take some chances. rather stay at the rec park where the amenities are already “We will succeed and we will fail, but we shouldn’t be in place — a covered stage and dance area, seating, restafraid of trying,” he said. rooms, electricity and water.

Hamlett was willing to move forward in the exploratory “I know some people want to mirror the success of phase to allow staff to pursue a band and nail down a cost, Materfest, but this is a different kind of event,” she said. sponsorships and booking the stadium.

“I’ve got mixed feelings about it.”

“With any risk there are benefits if done correctly,” he Mayor Mike Ray echoed Edwards’ concerns, adding that said. “I would support authorizing staff to continue and the rec park also had the swimming pool and playground bring recommendations back to us.” for children. Moving it downtown would mean the town “I’m not afraid of anything,” Edwards said. “… I just would have to spend money to get amenities to Sorrells don’t want to be in a position to pay all that money we Street Park. Instead of don’t have if it doesn’t shortening Labor Day feswork out.”

“I know some people want to mirror tivities to Sunday and Hendler-Voss said a the success of Materfest, but this is Monday, he suggested motion to move forward having Labor Day festiviwould only mean the staff a different kind of event. I’ve got ties for three days and the continues working out concert could be moved specifics, but the final conmixed feelings about it.” to Saturday night. tracts and decisions would — Alderman Carole Edwards However, Hendlerhave to come back to the Voss told the board at the board for a final vote. workshop that the town could get a lower price for a Hamlett’s motion to proceed passed unanimously.

Sunday show if a band was already coming through the Hamlett also said community members were invited to area for a Saturday show. share their opinions about the changes at the next board Alderman Zeb Smathers said moving it downtown meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, would create more traffic and revenue for downtown busiat town hall.

Canton second guesses proposed Labor Day changes

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contract with the national company for another year.

“I think we need to listen to our staff. If that’s what they are telling us, that’s what we need to do,” School Board Member Lynn Milner said.

The cost difference between the two is essentially a wash. Francis claimed the EcoLab cleaning chemicals are slightly cheaper, and may clock in with several thousand dollars in savings over the course of the year compared to years when Johnson had the contract.

But an apples-to-apples cost comparison can be tricky. There are fewer students overall in the school system now compared to when

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February 18-24, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR aywood County Health and Human Services Agency recently notified clients that an accounts receivable report went missing from a billing office several months ago.

Stoney Blevins, health and human services director, said HCHHSA discovered the report was missing on Oct. 31, and the administration subsequently launched an investigation into the incident that included the participation of the Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office.

Blevins said a billing worker had printed off a small subset of information from a larger state report as a working copy, and that the report went missing. The investigation is ongoing and remains a top priority for HCHHSA, but Blevins said he doesn’t know if the report is just missing or was stolen.

“Our office is a double locked office, but I really don’t know — someone could have picked it up accidentally, but we’ve turned the office upside down trying to find it,” he said.

Based on the investigation, HCHHSA determined that the report included North Carolina Health Information System (HIS) patient numbers; patient full names; a short descriptive caption identifying the HCHHSA clinic visited; and the amount in HCHHSA’s accounts receivable for each respective patient.

The report did not contain patient addresses, Social Security numbers, medical records, or dates of birth. HCHHSA has received no indication that the information has been further used or disclosed.

Blevins said it was very unlikely anyone would be able to decipher the report or do anything harmful with the information.

“If you didn’t work for the health department, you wouldn’t understand the report,” he said.

A letter was sent to each patient on the report pursuant to the data event notification requirements of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Blevins said HCHHSA takes the privacy and security of patient information seriously.

Following this incident, HCHHSA is further enhancing security measures and its policies and procedures. While HCHHSA is not aware of any actual or attempted fraud or public disclosure as a result of this incident, HCHHSA encourages all concerned individuals to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

“I feel comfortable that our citizens are pretty safe, but we don’t like it when a mistake is made,” Blevins said. “We took the high road and reported it and sent letters to every patient on the list.”

For additional information or if any citizen feels they have been adversely affected by this situation in any way, contact HCHHSA by phone at 888.452.6620, option 6 or by e-mail at hipaaquestions@haywoodnc.net.

news

Haywood notifies clients of missing data report

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news February 18-24, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

WCU falls under county subdivision ordinance, planning board says Western Carolina University will now be subject to Jackson County’s revised subdivision ordinance, the planning board decided last week.

Technically, the university has been included under the regulations since the planning board revised them last year, but that implication of the revisions had flown under the radar until now. By declining to tweak the standards to exempt WCU, the planning board made a de facto decision to include them.

“Most universities fall under the planning board of the county that they’re in, so this isn’t anything unusual,” said board member Sarah Graham.

The rules will affect WCU when it comes to development projects, like dorms, that include more than 60 bedrooms. The mixed-use development that the university is now planning to replace a commercial strip that burned during a 2013 fire will also fall under the ordinance, as the building will include student housing. Even outside of the subdivision ordinance, however, the county has had some oversight on the project, as the private developer working on it is still required to purchase a county building permit.

There’s no worry that WCU would

approve some ill-conceived project that would fail to meet county standards, board members emphasized. To the contrary, they said, university construction projects typically outshine any parallel county standard.

“I’ve done a preliminary review of the schematic plans of the mixed-use facility, and they exceed our standards,” County Planner Gerald Green told the board.

The benefit of keeping WCU subject to the ordinance, Green said, would be the built-in tool for communication between the county and university that the permitting process would provide.

Not that communication has been absent thus far, he stressed.

“From my perspective, the university is doing a great job,” Green said, pointing out that he and other community members had been invited to help create the university’s master plan.

WCU has yet to take an official stance on the question of the subdivision ordinance. University representatives are planning to meet with County Manager Chuck Wooten later this week, WCU’s communications director Bill Studenc said, and will have more to say on the matter after having that discussion.

— By Holly Kays

WCU to end off-campus busing

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Once the spring 2015 semester wraps up at Western Carolina University, off-campus students will no longer have the option of catching the bus to classes.

While enrollment at the university — and development around it — is increasing, ridership on the off-campus route has been declining. So, WCU has decided to get rid of the offcampus route and funnel those resources instead to the on-campus routes.

“With the growth in student population and the development of off-campus apartments, the decline in ridership doesn’t seem logical, but it is the reality we are facing,” said Communications Director Bill Studenc. “We are finding that some off-campus students are walking or riding bicycles to campus, but many more are driving to campus and parking in the commuter lots.”

The university had originally proposed to ax the route by the end of 2014 but honored requests from the Student Government Association to keep it intact through the end of the Fall 2014 term. Ultimately, WCU decided to extend service through the end of the Spring 2015 semester to accommodate students who had leased off-campus apartments counting on having shuttle service.

But most of those students seem to favor hopping in a car over catching the bus.

Though WCU’s resident student enrollment

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increased by 521 between 2011 and 2013 — now 7,403 students are taking at least one class on campus — ridership for the off-campus route has fallen from its peak of 10,000 one-way rides in the 2008-09 school year to 8,500 for the 2014 calendar year. The university estimates that it’s costing about $9 per ride to shuttle students from off-campus stops, far more than the 90 cents to $1.90 cost for on-campus routes.

“Rather than waiting for an off-campus shuttle, students seem to find it more convenient to drive to campus, park in a commuter lot and ride the on-campus shuttle or walk to their classes,” Studenc said. “Having access to their vehicles also allows them to drive to Sylva for lunch in between classes or run errands in town.”

The on-campus shuttle, however, is becoming increasingly popular. Since WCU’s shuttle service began in 2004 with two small shuttle buses, it’s grown to include 10 buses, some of which run until 2 a.m. The off-campus route was added in 2007. Each year, the on-campus shuttle provides 5 to 7 percent more rides than the previous one, with the annual ridership for the campus of 4,000 residential students fast approaching 400,000.

By reallocating the off-campus buses to serve on-campus stops, the university will be able to offer more frequent pick-ups at those on-campus stops, increasing efficiency by 33 percent. That means that a between-bus wait that’s 15 minutes right now would fall to 10 minutes.

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tion. It also provides a platform for partnership with regional universities and businesses, to provide support that will enhance programming.

The camp will likely have an economic impact on Swain and surrounding counties

by bringing new year-round and seasonal employment. The camp and shoulder season operations will bring hundreds of “heads in beds” into the region and directly into the county, said Williams.

Ken Mills, economic development director for Swain County, is excited about the direct and indirect economic development potential the camp could have on the county. He said the camp would provide new seasonal and year-round jobs and also may hire local contractors to do some work during construction.

“When you start looking at the support services, there’s an opportunity for landscaping contractors, HVAC contractors and others to get more work,” he said.

Then there are parents who will drive their children to the camp and spend money along the way at gas stations, restaurants and other retailers. Even though the families may be from WNC, Mills said, there are plenty of families who have never visited Swain County before. His hope is that those families will see what Swain and other WNC counties have to offer and will return in the future.

“If they have to pick up their kid Sunday, maybe they’ll spend the weekend,” he said. “Anytime we can get that to happen, it’s a good thing for the area — it’s all about exposure.”

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BY J ESSI STONE the families of Western North Carolina.”

N EWS E DITOR The overnight camp will operate eight MCA of Western North Carolina is weeks out of the summer and is estimated getting ready to break ground on to cost about $550 per week.

Camp Watia, a summer camp in Swain YMCA’s goal is to raise $6 million for County to serve children in the region. construction. Williams said she has quietly Ken and Nancy Glass of Buncombe County purchased the pristine 900 acres near Fontana Lake about 10 years ago and donated it to the YMCA of WNC with conservation in mind.

“Nancy served on our board of directors at the time they had purchased this beautiful plot of land and they didn’t want to see it developed,” said Jes Williams, YMCA The master plan for YMCA vice president of orgaCamp Watia in Swain nizational and finanCounty includes camper cial development in Asheville. “They cabins, a large dining hall, wanted to make it a an outdoor amphitheater, camp for kids because a swimming pond and an their kids grew up in administrative building.

Y camps and had Donated (great experiences) there.”

Williams said the YMCA has spent sevfundraised about $2.5 million so far and is eral years making sure a residential camp in on schedule to break ground in May. The Swain County would be a sustainable, longofficial kickoff public campaign will begin term project and that the YMCA would be May 8 and the camp will open in the sumable to raise the money needed for conmer of 2016 if all goes as planned. struction. A market study shows that an Camp Watia will preserve the land’s senaffordable youth camp in Swain would fill a sitive natural resources, forests, wetlands, ecosystems and cultural history. The first phase of the project will occupy about 100 acres of the property and will include a dining hall and kitchen, cabins that can house 265 campers ages 6-16, an administrative center, an adventure course, a volleyball court, campfire and amphitheater space, and a dock and pavilion on the 3acre pond for swimYMCA Camp Waita is scheduled to open in summer 2016 near the ming.

Williams said the Almond community in Swain County. This is the view from the edge of the pond on the 900 acres Ken and Nancy Glass donated to YMCA of second phase of the Western North Carolina. Donated photo project, which would be years down the road, would include void in the market. additional cabins, staff housing, more pavil“There are many local camps, but many ions and a maintenance building. are out of reach for local families and cater Williams said the property provides the to families outside the county,” Williams landscape for a natural classroom to shape said. “We knew we would be able to create programming in STEM, environmental something without duplication and serve studies, cultural enrichment and conserva-

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State won’t help Maggie Valley ‘decipher’ its own ridge law Debate over mountaintop cross in holding pattern pending elusive verdict

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aggie Valley is in limbo over a proposed mountaintop cross after learning last week the state won’t help sort out how high the cross could legally be under the North Carolina ridge law.

The town initially looked to the state for a verdict. There isn’t, however, a state agency responsible for the interpretation or enforcement of the state ridge law.

“What we have got is a lot of arrows in the quiver so to speak. Exactly how to proceed is unclear,” Maggie Town Manager Nathan Clark said. “We are trying to make heads or tails of this. We are feverishly trying to work through it.”

The state ridge law dating to 1983 limits the height of man-made things on protected mountaintops, but it’s not an absolute number. It’s relative — and varies depending on the particular ridge and the particular spot where someone wants to build.

It would require some mapping and surveying expertise to figure out, which the town was hoping the state would help with. The town has now learned that won’t happen.

There are other questions in play as well.

The town is trying to figure out if an exemption for religious symbols would apply. Or, if the cross doubles as a cell tower, could it be allowed under cell tower exemptions to the ridge law?

The town doesn’t have a formal permit application for the giant cross at this point, but was informally approached last month by Alaska Presley, the owner of Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park, where the cross would be located.

Presley has talked publicly about her idea for the cross since buying Ghost Town out of foreclosure three years ago. She met with town officials in January to inquire about various rules that might apply.

That prompted Town Planner Andrew Bowen to start looking into the ridge law.

Smoky Mountain News

February 18-24, 2015

M

NAVIGATING THE MAZE

Bowen’s first step, and arguably a logical one, was the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He was soon routed to the N.C. Geological Survey, a sub-agency of DENR. It sounded promising — the mountain ridgeline law would surely be right up the alley of an agency that deals in geology, surveying and natural resources, but he struck out.

“DENR does not have any enforcement 14 authority over the ridge law,” according to

Nonetheless, as far as interpreting the ridge law, “we leave that up to the attorneys,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he doesn’t field many questions about the state ridge law. He thinks the last time it came up was five years ago, or even more.

“We don’t get a lot of questions about it,” Thompson said.

Maggie’s’ own attorney has been away on a two-week Pacific Island vacation, but Clark emailed him to let him know this issue would be waiting on his desk when he got back.

“Over the past month, the Town Planner Andrew Bowen has done an exceptional job of amassing and inventorying a collection of local, state and federal regulations as it pertains to Mrs. Presley’s desire to build a large cross atop Buck Mountain,” Clark said. “Our next step, while consulting with our town attorney, is to begin to decipher the many different layers of regulations of what is legally allowed to be erected.”

FLYING UNDER THE RADAR

The N.C. Ridge Law could put the kabosh on a giant cross on the mountaintop above Maggie Valley, or at least cap the height of it. The proposed site (the general spot indicated here by a red arrow) is around 4,500 feet in elevation, but how tall it could be depends on how the elevation of the ridge’s crest is calculated. Map courtesy of the N.C. Geodetic Survey.

Jamie Kritzer, the state spokesperson for DENR. Kritzer instead pointed down the road to the N.C. Geodetic Survey — which sounds similar but is apparently different than the N.C. Geological Survey.

Thanks to a major restructuring of state agencies a couple of years ago to allegedly make the bureaucracy less bureaucratic, the Geodetic Survey was moved from DENR’s umbrella to the Department of Public Safety.

Kritzer alluded that the Geodetic Survey might be just the one to help, however.

“The Geodetic Survey is where local towns and counties go for assistance when there are issues interpreting the location of mountain ridges,” said Kritzer.

While the geodetic guys are indeed the official guardians of the state’s ridge maps, Bowen’s hopes of finding help there were soon dashed. They simply gave Bowen a web link to the ridge maps online, and emailed him a scanned copy of the maps.

That merely confirmed what Bowen already knew — that the proposed cross site is protected under the ridge law.

But it didn’t get Bowen any closer to the real question of how high the cross could be.

“We are the keeper of the maps. Our role is to provide access to those maps,” explained Gary Thompson, head of the N.C. Geodetic Survey. “We are not running any calculations.”

However, Thompson understands Maggie Valley’s conundrum.

“There are some stipulations in the law about what you measure from. In each case you have to look at the conditions of the ridge to determine what the height is,” Thompson said.

What the law says The North Carolina ridge law limits the height that a structure can extend above the crest of a ridge. The rub lies with how you calculate the elevation of the crest.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: • Take the highest point on the ridge.

• Take the second highest point on the ridge.

• Draw an imaginary line between them.

• No structure can extend 35 feet above that imaginary line.

Why all the cross talk?

A 220-foot-tall cross is the crown jewel of a grand plan to build a Christian theme park on the same mountaintop as Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park in Maggie Valley.

The cross and the theme park are in the very early conceptual stages. They are the vision of Alaska Presley, an independently wealthy and elderly businesswoman who bought Ghost Town out of foreclosure three years ago. Once a tourism mainstay of Maggie, Ghost Town had fallen into disrepair and was essentially defunct when Presley bought it. She has spent considerable time and money trying to bring it back, and has recently begun talking more seriously about her ultimate vision for the Christian theme park.

A defunct amusement park ride currently sits at the spot where Presley wants to put the cross, at an elevation of about 4,530 feet.

The ride, known as the drop tower, was put up in 2007, hauled in from a shut-down amusement park in Memphis that was auctioning off its used rides.

As it turns out, the 87-foot drop tower might actually violate the state ridge law.

“Quite possibly. But no one thought about checking on it,” Clark said.

But then again, it might not, depending on the ridge law verdict for that particular spot.

The state ridge law was passed in 1983 in response to the massive 10-story Sugar Top condominium built on a 5,000-foot ridgeline in Avery County.

Few counties or towns had their own ridge laws at the time, but the condominium was deemed so universally atrocious that state lawmakers decided intervention was needed to protect the mountain skyline with a blanket law.

Most towns and counties never felt the need to double up on the state law and pass a ridge law of their own.

Jackson County is one of the few that decided the state ridge law wasn’t strict enough and passed a ridge law of its own, but that’s rare.

Maggie’s case is far more common, where the town counted on the state ridge law to get the job done.

“This is something we thought that there was a lot of protection against,” Clark said.

In the meantime, a community conversation over how tall is too tall for the cross is on pause.

If the ridge law doesn’t adequately limit the height of the cross in some people’s eyes, a debate is bound to break out over whether the town should step in and pass a law of its own — one that’s stricter than the state’s ridge law.

“You have an octagon of general interests,” Clark said. “It is important for us to make sure there are no assumptions being made on whatever side of this octagon you are on.”

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Realtor Tucker Chambers has been advocating for the town to get the hydropower plant back in commission to supply power for residents.

Aside from the exorbitant costs associated with reinstalling a hydropower plant and the tedious process of getting a permit through the federal government, Frye said such a plant on Lake Sequoyah wouldn’t come close to meeting the town’s power needs.

“It wasn’t capable of meeting electricity needs of the town and it’s not been used for 50 years — there’s just a shell of a building,” he said. “In 2013, we looked at revitalizing it, but the project was estimated to cost $5 million and would be a three- to five-year process.”

He said the former hydropower plant generated only about 1 megawatt of power a month, but the town uses about 10 to 15 megawatts per month. Furthermore, he said, the town no longer owns the property where the hydropower plant was housed because it reverted back to national forest property once it was taken out of service.

“Mr. Chambers is convinced we’re giving away a valuable resource,” Frye said.

“We admire his passion, but he’s saying opinion as facts.”

Chambers said having a hydropower plant would allow the town to turn a profit and also be self-sufficient by supplying its own electricity.

Frye disagreed.

“Electrical rates would probably go up if the town did that,” he said. “Add cost of maintenance, and it’s a no-win situation for the town.”

February 18-24, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ake Sequoyah in Highlands is currently being drained in preparation for completing about $3 million in repairs to the dam.

Town Manager Bob Frye said a valve would be installed at the bottom of the 80year-old dam, which will enable the town to lower the water in the future if needed. The project also includes installation of a raw water intake and leak repairs.

“We don’t do a lot of maintenance on the dam, so it’s in better shape than we thought it would be, but we have to keep it in good shape,” Frye said.

He said state loans were paying for about 80 percent of the $2.8 million project and the town would pay for the rest up front.

The project won’t be complete until November, but Frye said the water would be back up in May — just in time for summer recreation on the lake.

Planning for the project began four years ago, and construction and engineering contracts were signed in November 2014. The town of Highlands owns the dam and the water, which supplies most of the town’s drinking water, but individual property owners own access points around the lake.

The dam was constructed in 1916 and a hydropower plant below the dam served as the town’s first electric system. The town took the plant out of service in 1968 and sold the power-generating equipment in the 70s, according to Frye.

Even though it’s been out of service for more than 40 years, Highlands resident and

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Sign up for civilian police academy The 2015 class of the Waynesville Civilian Police Academy is set to begin on March 12, and there is still time to sign up.

The Civilian Police Academy gives citizens the opportunity to become more familiar with a wide range of police department activities. Attendees are also given the option of participating in a field trip to the firing range.

The Academy meets for eight weeks from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the Waynesville Police Department. The Academy is free and open to all county residents who are at least 21 years of age. Applications are available during normal business hours and due March 2.

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County progress reported at Lake J Vicki Hyatt, editor of The Mountaineer, will describe Haywood County's halfcentury of progress, present developments and future prospects at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19, at Lake Junaluska’s Gaines Auditorium in the Visitor Center.

Hyatt will specifically address local progress in the areas of education, healthcare, and social services. Beginning with the founding of Haywood Community College, Pisgah and Tuscola High Schools and Mountain Projects 50 years ago, she will trace in broad strokes how decisions made decades ago have impacted the county today.

She will also highlight instances of community support and cooperative problem-solving in opening the new shelter and kitchen, including the way team members have perceived obstacles that had not previously surfaced.

The public is invited to provide input.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Cherokee is one step closer to having an Olympic-sized outdoor pool following Tribal Council’s unanimous vote this month to purchase property for the project.

“We have an identified site with contract negotiations with those landowners,” said Jason Lambert, director of planning and development for the tribe. With the site nailed down, he said, “we can get into more specific due diligence and more specific planning in order to get to that hard construction.”

The 6-acre property is across from the old Cherokee high school in the Yellowhill community. Council agreed on a purchase price not to exceed $800,540.

Money for the land had been allocated for about two years, with the pool being a topic of discussion for the past four or five years, Lambert said. However, the tribe hadn’t been able to get into the nitty gritty of planning before, as it didn’t know what constraints the site would present. With the property selected, they can now move forward.

“There’s a lot of options,” Lambert said. It could be just a standard Olympic-sized pool, or the pool could include any number of play structures and “splash pads,” such as the classic mushroom tree with water flowing over top.

“Splash pads are what you’re seeing pop up

in a lot of communities, which are interactive water features for, primarily, kids,” Lambert said.

The variety of construction possibilities leads to a variety of cost possibilities. Lambert expects the project will cost between $1 and $2 million to build, though nothing’s pinned down at this point.

“That’s contingent on how much of the dollars actually go into the pool and the features versus the site work and the parking lot, restrooms, facilities for changing and pump rooms and all of those components,” he said.

Though the tribe-owned Cherokee Life Fitness Center does house an indoor Olympicsized pool for fitness center members, the Yellowhill pool will be the first public outdoor pool in Cherokee.

“It’s just another extension of us being able to provide things for our membership that enhance recreation opportunities, enhance opportunities for our young people,” Lambert said.

Lambert would also like to see it become an additional draw for tourists.

“Depending on what the scope of it is and what we put in the ground, it could definitely attract tourists,” he said.

Lambert expects to develop a more specific plan for the site within the next two months.

“It’s just a component that the community is interested in,” he said.

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handicapped accessibility. The club has spoken to county planning and parks and recreation staff, as well as to Sylva police, and has already begun fundraising. So far, it has $3,000, about half the total expected cost, and hopes to have the project done in one to five years.

“We were wanting the county’s permission to put a pavilion and donate it to the county,” Herring said.

Commissioners were favorable to the idea but declined to vote right away.

“We generally don’t take action on the first night we receive an item unless it’s something that’s pressing,” Commission Chairman Brian McMahan explained.

He asked the garden club to come back with some more detailed drawings after the commissioners have had time to think about the proposal, emphasizing that this is definitely not the county telling the club “no.”

“I’m getting the feeling that there is a consensus that is somewhat OK and acceptable,” he said.

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The Sylva Garden Club is raising money to build a small pavilion in Bicentennial Park, a small green space located off Keener Street near the historic Jackson County Courthouse and library complex.

The pavilion, club president Diane Herring told Jackson County Commissioners, would be a place for families to congregate, book-lovers to read after checking out a book from the library and couples planning a small wedding to say their vows.

“This is just a nice, beautiful place that you can go to the library, check out a book and enjoy sitting in a pretty garden,” Herring said.

The pavilion will be 12 feet square with benches in each corner, electric outlets and

for them to reimburse us that cost,” he said. million and the bridge about $2.5 million. everything is in the walls and inspected and The TCGE will reimburse the DOT a Those projects are about halfway done and wall finishing is going on.” total of $881,000, with $654,000 of that expected to be complete by April, Burch As challenging as the construction of the paying for the sewer line and $226,000 for said. buildings themselves is the coordination the water line.

“It has been a mild winter, and so it’s required for those projects to jive with the In addition, the DOT is building turn allowed contractors — not just on this projroad and infrastructure development surlanes and a roadway from U.S. 19/74 to the ect but throughout our division — to conrounding them. The casino and hotel must tribal boundary and a bridge over the Valley tinue to work, where in winters past they be joined to Murphy’s sewer and water sysRiver. The roadwork will cost about $4.4 haven’t been able to,” Burch said. tems, and the N.C. Department of Transportation is busy building a roadway out A new hotel and casino near to the site.

Murphy are all framed up, with “We’ve had monthly the site on track for a late meetings since these summer finish. TCGE photo projects were started where we meet and discuss the coordination effort, whatever’s coming on each of the projects, scheduling times to work, when deliveries are going to be made,” said Brian Burch, DOT division construction engineer.

As part of the coordination, the DOT will be completing the water and sewer line to the casino and hotel, with the TCGE reimbursing them the cost.

The DOT project was progressing faster than the building con280-119 struction, Burch said, so it wound up being more efficient for the DOT to do the work itself.

“The TCGE would have been coming in Tuesday Afternoons | 5:00 - 6:30 | March-Oct behind us and tearing out some of the infrastructure, so it made more sense for us to go ahead and put it in prior to us doing our work, so the only way we could do that was

February 18-24, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER hen the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board opted to get rid of the project manager position for its Murphy casino construction project last year, some skepticism ensued as to whether the project could still continue on time and within budget.

The project manager provided the tribe an on-the-ground representative who could make sure the work being done was up to snuff and being charged appropriately. The TCGE had decided to save money by slashing the position.

As the casino gets closer to its projected opening date, fears that turning the project manager’s tasks over to TCGE members aren’t proving true, said TCGE chairman Ray Rose.

“Our internal team continues to perform very strongly,” Rose said. “It introduces a certain level of efficiency to the process, so we’re very happy there.”

The project is expected to finish within its $110 million budget and meet its deadline of late summer 2015, Rose said. Doors will likely open sometime in August or September, and the process of recruiting and hiring the 900 employees needed to run the place will probably begin in April.

“We know that Cherokee County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, so we’re hoping we can draw on that, including some tribal membership down there,” Rose said.

As for the building itself, it’s starting to look like a casino.

“Hotel and casino structures are up,” Rose said. “Framing is done, but now we’re at the point of interior heating, air, sprinklers, all that stuff. It won’t be long until

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Murphy casino project on track for summer

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Sarge’s saved 1,231 dogs and cats — a 13 percent increase from 2013. www.sargeandfriends.org or 828.246.9050.

• Walmart of Waynesville presented a check for $1,500 to The Arc of Haywood County, a nonprofit that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, for Christmas presents and clothes to the individuals served in their program. www.arcofhaywood.org.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is participating in the Backpacks of Love program.

BRUSH CLEARING AT MONTEITH FARMSTEAD Appalachian Tree Services of Franklin donated its services to remove several large trees and brush debris from the Monteith Farmstead in Dillsboro and the site of the Appalachian Women’s Museum, which is working to create a museum that will chronicle the rich and diverse history of Southern Appalachian women. www.appwm.org. Donated photo

Community notes A flag retirement ceremony.

a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at Sky Lanes in Asheville, with a host of teams already signed up and more being accepted. Big Brothers, Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that partners children facing adversity with volunteers in the community who can provide them guidance and help them achieve success.

828.356.2148.

• St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Haywood County is providing food, toiletries and other essentials to needy students at Pisgah High School for the second year in a row through the Backpacks of Love program, which sends students home with food every Friday to help them make it through the weekend. The church also provides food through MANNA

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Food Bank to Meadowbrook Elementary students. Holy Smoke Ministry at St. Andrew’s helps fund the program by selling barbecue at festivals and events. 828.648.7550.

• The Jackson County Youth Leadership Council is giving out mini-grants to other youth groups in the county engaged in community service projects of their own. The teenagers in the club are learning about philanthropy by serving as a mini-foundation to solicit, review and select projects worthy of funding. The Council is a high school 4-H club supported in part by a grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. www.jcyouthleadership.weebly.com or 828.586.4009.

• Emma McElroy, a fourth-grader at Riverbend Elementary School, asked friends to bring linens to her 10th birthday party instead of gifts to be donated to the Haywood Pathways Center in Hazelwood. She donated 23 sheet sets, pillows, towels and washcloths and gave the $220 she received in birthday money to Pathways.

• The Macon County School Nutrition Relay for Life Team is selling breast cancer awareness T-shirts as a fundraiser through Feb. 23. From now until relay night, they will be selling homemade Oreo balls dipped in chocolate, cakes and pumpkin rolls. 828.524.4692.

• Jackson Neighbors in Need raised $8,700 at the Charlie’s Challenge fundraiser on Jan. 31 to benefit the organization’s heating assistance program, weatherization services and emergency shelter. www.jacksonneigborsinneed.org.

• A Ceremonial U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at VFW Post 5202 in Waynesville. If anyone has a flag that needs to be disposed of, drop it off at the Post. 828.456.9346.

• Social entrepreneurship students at Western Carolina University helped raise more than $1,400 for organizations serving Western North Carolina. 828.227.3295 or www.servicelearning.wcu.edu.

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort employees volunteered 21,179 hours in 2014 through roadside clean ups, supply drives, and various other volunteer events. Harrah’s received the WNC Association of Fundraising Professionals’ 2014 Outstanding Business in Philanthropy Award.

• Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will provide four $500 scholarships for high school seniors pursuing “Appalachian Studies,” with each scholarship focused on a different aspect of Appalachian heritage. www.spiritofappalachia.org. 828.631.4587.

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Western North Carolina will hold it annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser for Haywood County from 10

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Haywood County set a new record high for number of pets saved in a year. In 2014,

SCC fair to connect volunteers with greater community Southwestern Community College will help volunteers explore options in the community during a Volunteer Fair from 9 a.m.

to noon on Feb. 24 in the Burrell Conference Center on SCC’s Sylva campus.

Organized by the SCC Cares committee, the Volunteer Fair is an opportunity for nonprofits to recruit service-minded individuals seeking a way to give back in Jackson, Macon, Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary. a_allen@southwesterncc.edu or call 828.339.4305.

LUNCH NETWORKING MEETING

For Young Professionals of Haywood

Thursday February 26th Noon - 1:00pm

Haywood Smokehouse 79 Elysinia Ave

RSVP to haywoodchamber.com or 456.3021 275-61

Smoky Mountain News

For some, facts just don’t matter

“It is an Internet Age paradox: We have more information than ever before and yet, seem to know less. Indeed, in the Internet Age, it can be fairly said that nothing is ever truly, finally knowable, authoritative testimony always subject to contradiction by some blogger grinding axes, some graduate of Google U, somebody who heard from somebody who heard from somebody who heard.”

— Leonard Pitts, Miami Herald eonard Pitts calls it Secret Knowledge, the information that only a few people know, but those people who know it know it to be true. I refer to it as the Internet Plague, a condition whereby any statement — no matter how outrageous, how cockamamie, how simply stupid — will be given credence by some wildeyed know-it-all with a computer at his fingertips, facts be damned.

The plague made it to my dinner table some nights as we had our nightly dinnertime discussions. My kids would read something from one of those who make a claim to knowing it all, or perhaps would have heard something discussed by their friends. Then wthey ould offer it up as fact as we passed around the corn: “Dad, did you know that Obama is a Muslim and that he was born in Kenya.”

“Really, who said that?”

Which usually led to: “Someone at school” or “I saw it on the Internet.”

Editor “Not true,” I would say, and go on to explain about the Internet world of bloggers and wanna-be reporters, and then let them know that even some television news shows often give valuable air time to the most outlandish ideas despite knowing that facts showed otherwise.

Today’s measles outbreak — a disease considered eradicated in 2000 by the Centers for Disease Control — is being caused in part by some people’s refusal to believe that vaccinations don’t cause autism. My heart goes out to those who have to deal with children who have these problems, but the best science in the world tells us that autism is not caused by vaccinations.

And no doubt, Internet “research” has led some people into this camp, research that may have no basis in reality. And this problem of discrediting science is apparently growing. A recent Pew Research poll found that while 98 percent of scientists believe humans have evolved, only 65 percent of U.S. adults hold the same belief.

I don’t want to open up the whole climate change or global warming debate, or do I? The same poll showed that 87 percent of scientists think “humans worsen climate change.” Among the general public, only 50 percent believe it. It’s a bit outrageous to think the ice caps are melting and New York City is soon to be under water, but to argue that belching huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere won’t eventually affect temperatures and climate seems to me to be preposterous.

Whether it’s the anti-science crowd or conspiracy theorists or just plain wackos, there will always be people who are just going to believe whatever they want. Those people have always been around, but our wired generation has yet to become adept at sifting the digital wheat from the chaff.

The poet Thomas Gray coined the phrase, “ignorance is bliss.”

If he was right, then we may be entering one of the happiest eras in human history. Sad, but true.

(Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountain-news.com.)

Scott McLeod

L

Opinion The sweet dreams of snow days ad, do you think we’ll get out of school tomorrow?”

“D My son, Jack, is standing in the doorway of our bedroom. Sunday night is bearing down again, and the weekend forecasts have been taunting him and his sister with the promise of a big snowstorm, which is supposed to begin around 7 a.m. on Monday morning, just in time to get them out of school. But he’s not quite prepared to buy in, not after having been burned already three or four times by faulty forecasts.

What’s that song by The Who? “Won’t Get Fooled Again?”

Of course, I know just how he feels. I remember getting my hopes Columnist up on many a night just like this one, storms threatening but never materializing, clouds hovering on the horizon but refusing to move in, like shy boys clinging to the cafeteria walls at an eighth-grade dance. I would watch the 6 o’clock news and listen to WCOK, the local radio station for confirmation of the coming snowstorm. Yes, yes, there would be snow, and lots of it. Now sleep well, young fellow. You’ve got a big day in front of you, a day of sleeping in, sledding, drinking five cups of hot chocolate, and fighting with your sister.

The next morning, I would wake up and yank back the curtains in my bedroom in anticipation of seeing nothing but white everywhere I looked, an ever thickening blanket of snow covering the ground, the roof, the trees and the bushes, the birdbath and the mailbox, the doghouse and the driveway…and the roads, yes, the roads! Completely impassable unless you had a huge truck with chains, at least until the road graders and salt trucks made their way to your house, which could take HOURS! Sweet frozen nectar of the gods! I would sigh deeply with complete satisfaction, pull the curtain closed, and crawl deep down into the welcoming sanctuary of my bed, where I would sleep a deep, untroubled sleep until 11 a.m., quite possibly. Then I would stumble into the kitchen, still groggy but with a growing awareness of intense hunger, and eat half a box of Count Chocula out of a mixing bowl while watching “The Flintstones” or “The Brady Bunch.”

Outside, it would still be pouring the snow, six inches and counting. We might not have school all week! Better get my mom to pick up another box or two of Count Chocula, as well as some other essentials, such as fish sticks, tater tots, peanut butter, brown sugar and cinnamon Pop Tarts, two boxes of Neapolitan ice cream, a jar of dry-roasted peanuts, Doritos, a roll of cookie dough, chicken noodle soup, and TV dinners. And ice cream sandwiches. And barbecue Fritos. And Cokes.

But no. No sir. No way.

Chris Cox

22

I would wake up and yank open the curtain, expecting to see nothing but white, nothing but an enormous blanket of snow everywhere, blotting out all of the unpleasant features of my workaday world, and what do I see instead?

The prosaic reality of things just as they always are, austere and exposed, every limb of every tree naked and trembling in the harsh winds of January, the whole miserable landscape completely untouched by even a flake of snow.

The only hope I had left then would be to rush to the phone and call the radio station, praying that it might be snowing furiously in some other part of the county, as it sometimes did, and school might still be out. During the winter, the local radio station would record a message letting us know whether the county schools were open or not.

Of course, every other kid in the county was also trying to call, so it might take 20 or 30 attempts to get through, only to hear the dreaded news: “Good morning, everyone!

The schools in Alleghany County WILL be operating on a regular schedule! That gloomy forecast for a foot of snow was just a false alarm! I hope you kids did your homework!

I hope you didn’t get your hopes up for a day off!

Remember, kids, don’t let your expectations exceed your gratitude! Now have a great day at school!”

I hated that guy. My friends did, too. We complained about him bitterly when we got to school.

“That guy that makes the radio announcement is entirely too cheerful,” said my friend, Barry, as we choked down soggy chuck wagon sandwiches at lunch. “I think he likes rubbing it in. I bet he hates kids.”

I looked through the cafeteria window and watched ruefully as one meager ray of sun, skinny as a witch’s finger, poked through the pointless clouds.

“Dad? Dad!” “Oh, sorry, bud,” I said. “I guess I drifted off there for a minute.”

“So, do you think we’ll have school tomorrow or not?”

I decide not to use the moment to teach him a lesson about expectations and gratitude. Lord, don’t let me be THAT guy. I hated that guy.

“May you drink deeply from the sweet frozen nectar of the gods,” I said.

“Huh? OK, I guess. Night, Dad.” I hope they do get that snow. There is never going to be any sleep quite so sweet or satisfying as going back to bed on a snow day when you’re supposed to be in class working on fractions or conjugating verbs.

Just in case, I had better go check on our stash of brown sugar and cinnamon Pop Tarts.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. His most recent book, The Way We Say Goodye, is available in regional bookstores and at Amazon. jchriscox@live.com.)

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS: The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

Does Maggie Valley need 200-foot cross?

Let’s re-think attitudes toward wood

To the Editor: On behalf of Dryman’s Chapel United Methodist Church please allow me to express thanks and grateful appreciation for the community and sponsor support we received during our Love Is in the Air 5K Run/Walk to raise funds for MS research.

We especially thank our Macon County Sheriff Department, Macon County EMS, the Otto Fire Department, Burt and Deanie Raby and the Addington Bridge neighborhoods for their help and involvement.

We are deeply grateful to Dave Linn for his time, energy and expertise which gave guidance and help to our church members in this effort. He met with us many times to make sure we conducted a responsible race.

We thank our runners and walkers who came out to enjoy the beautiful day with us and all those who cheered us on.

Rev. Janet J. Greene Franklin

Use Lent to try a meat-free diet

In my world, estimates are different from facts To the Editor: Ed Morris’s recent letter to this newspaper criticized a letter I had written to The Franklin Press regarding a front page article they published. That article used informa-

To the Editor: Jackson County Commissioners, I want to congratulate you on the entertaining meeting on Jan. 29 and your resolution to support the “Move to Amend” proposed 28th amendment to the U. S. Constitution.

Surely you know of at least some of the organizations that are supporting it and their ultra-radical politics? Don’t you?

Here’s some of them in case you’re ignorant. There’s Code Pink, the radical feminist group which recently tried to arrest 91-yearold Henry Kissinger for war crimes at a Senate hearing on Thursday, Jan. 29, prompting Sen. John McCain to shout “get out of here you low-life scum” before the capitol police could remove said radicals.

Then there’s the American Humanist Association who is “Good Without A God.” I wonder how all the good folks in the churches of Jackson County would feel about you aligning yourselves with an organization who is “good without a God?” Let’s not forget the Young Democratic Socialists (a division of the Democratic Socialists of America). A former communist friend of mine told me once that a socialist is someone who hasn’t picked up an AK-47 assault rifle to kill capitalists … yet.

Oh, I know that you’ve heard of GreenPeace, whom many would say is an eco-terrorist group that tries mightily to compete with other nefarious sea dogs in the piracy-on-the-high-seas department.

Then there’s MoveOn, the organization who is spending $1 million to draft the ultra-radical Sen. Liz Warren of Massachusetts to become our first socialist president in 2017. Last, but certainly not least, is the Rainbow Push Coalition run by Jesse Jackson, whom many would say is one of our country’s top two race hustlers who, after receiving contributions from certain corporations, interestingly enough those corporations don’t get harassed anymore by Jesse.

I could go on (see www.united4thepeople.org) with the racist, radical, socialist, and communist organizations who are supporting the proposed 28th amendment that you affiliated yourself with by passing your resolution last Thursday, but sadly there’s not enough space to print them all. Ultimately, it’s all about the company you keep in this life. For those of you seeking re-election anytime in the next decade or so, how will you defend yourselves to the citizens of Jackson County by your becoming willing, useful idiots to these organizations that want to destroy our republic?

The French have a saying, “bad companions lead to bad ends.” Aligning yourselves politically with bad companions who are haters of freedom and American exceptionalism is not a ‘return to common sense.’

Thanks for the free entertainment. I look forward to more of it. By the way, which side are you on — ours or the enemies of the republic?

Carl Iobst Cullowhee 23

Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry.

But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation, and animal abuse.

Our supermarket offers a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits, and grains. Entering “vegan recipes” in our favorite Internet search engine offers more products, recipes, and transition tips than we can use.

Weston Madrigal Waynesville

Beware the company you keep

February 18-24, 2015

To the Editor: Have you ever heard the expression “waiting for the other shoe to drop”? I thought of it as I was reading all the recent news and opinions about the U.S. Forest Service studies on wood harvesting in Western North Carolian. I felt there was something not being said. Well, the answer came in a Jan. 29 article by Politico reporter Michael Grunwald.

Grunwald writes about a Nov. 19 memo from the EPA stating the Obama administration is looking to declare forestry products “carbon neutral.” In keeping with Obama’s on-again-off-again position on climate change and his “all-the-above” energy policies, declaring wood products carbon neutral opens the door to massive new exploitation of our forests. Thus the rush to re-evaluate forestry practices across the country.

But burning trees for energy is not cardbon neutral. It is true that a tree soaks up scarbon and seals it in the wood, but burning it in a matter of minutes is a sudden rush of )carbon. And even if you buy the premise that the gain is neutral, we have already gone over 400 parts per million of CO2 in the air, and we surely don’t need to go any higher.

According to Tim Searchinger, a researcher at Princeton University, burning wood (and other “biomass” sources of energy) is appealing to policy makers but is totally unrealistic. The oft-cited goal of 20 percent energy from biomass by 2050 would require burning every tree in our forests and all our food stocks as well. Searchinger also calculates that just the current policy proposal alone would require a 70 percent increase

Appreciate community support for 5K run

tion from a report titled “The Economic and Employment Costs of Not Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina: A County-Level Analysis” written by a George Washington University (GWU) professor.

It forecast an economic boom for N.C. if N.C. would add an estimated 500,000 N.C. residents to Medicaid under ObamaCare.

After reading the report, I felt that article citing the report was opinion, not news, and should have been on that paper’s opinion page.

Morris complained I can’t separate fact from opinion. He apparently believes everything in the report is a fact and challenged me to “report to readers of this newspaper the precise, actual factual information that is wrong in the study…”

That’s a tough challenge since there is very little factual information in the report!

Simple things like how many people will use expanded Medicaid, or how much N.C. will receive in federal Medicaid reimbursements are estimates, projections or forecasts, not facts.

Nearly every statement, starting on the first page of the report, is an estimate. The words “estimate,” “estimates,” and “estimated” appear 102 times in the poorly written report, but not everywhere they should have appeared. The “Executive Summary” didn’t even state that the REMI economic model generated the reported estimates.

It was not until page 29 in the “Appendix: Methods and Data Sources” that the report stated “The estimates in this report are based on multiple sources of information and a widely-used regional economic model [REMI] to estimate the economic and employment effects of Medicaid expansion.”

Consider the REMI economic model. It is based on flawed Keynesian economic theory that every dollar spent by government generates a multi-dollar economic impact. The same theory that didn’t work with the nearly $1 trillion Obama “stimulus” program.

This report, and Keynesian theory, ignores that every dollar government spends has been taken out of a taxpayer’s pocket, or added to the national debt, and has a negative economic impact when taken. This is “economic redistribution” at work.

Projections from REMI and other economic models are rarely checked for accuracy. The Congressional Budget Office’s complex economic model projections can be checked. Their short- and long-term forecasts show they are rarely accurate. REMI’s much simpler model should be expected to perform worse.

In January 2013, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services received a report, “A Contrast: Modeling the Macroeconomic Impact of ‘Medicaid Expansion’ in North Carolina,” they had contracted for from the REMI corporation. This corporation programs the REMI economic model and is the true REMI expert.

The economic estimates from the GMU report are from 80-100 percent higher than the HHS report. The estimates from the same model aren’t reproducible.

Vic Drummond Franklin

opinion

To the Editor: At first blush the idea of a 200-foot cross seemed kind of cool. It could make Maggie Valley famous for having the tallest cross.

But I’ve been mulling it around in my head because there’s just something not right. First, having the tallest cross is a vanity thing. Vanity is a sin. You don’t have to build a bigger cross to be closer to God. Look how that Babel tower thing worked out.

Secondly, and more important to me, I absolutely do not want a 200-foot night light blocking out the sky! Nearly everyone in Maggie Valley can see the roller coaster from their front porch. It’s practically over our heads. Now imagine 200 feet up from there is a well-lit cross.

We moved to the country over 15 years ago to get away from noise and light pollution. There’s nothing more beautiful than a sky full of stars on a clear dark night. But in the city you’re likely to forget there are stars.

It’s an urban blight. Appreciate what you have and stop messing it up. Having the world’s tallest cross is a grand idea. But it’s not a good idea.

Larry Wright Maggie Valley

in American forestry production.

And do you get the scent of money in all that smoke? Politicians on both sides of the aisle are lining up to support the increased denuding of our woods, and to take big campaign gifts from the people who will profit from it. Chipper mill owners are already increasing production in order to ship our forests to eager energy consumers in Europe, nations willing to make similar declarations of carbon neutrality.

Boyd Holliday Lake Junaluska

tasteTHEmountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken.

Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Smoky Mountain News

February 18-24, 2015

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

tion of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. And a roaring fire in the fireplace. So come enjoy mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

Reservations are required.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not preprepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items.

Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

BRYSON CITY BAKERY AND PASTRY SHOPPE 191 Everett St., Bryson City. 828.488.5390 Offering a full line of fresh baked goods like Grandma used to make. Large variety to choose from including cakes, pies, donuts, breads, cinn-buns and much more. Also serving Hershey Ice Cream. Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selec-

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve three meals a day on Friday, Saturday and long holiday weekends. Join us for Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.; and Dinner buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with entrees that include pot roast, Virginia ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

Cataloochee Ranch 24

119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 | CataloocheeRanch.com | (828)926-1401

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials.

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more.

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly.

Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley.

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000.

Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue.

Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com.

Also on facebook and twitter.

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join

For palatable results!

Advertise here.

Smoky Mountain News 828.452.4251 www.smokymountainnews.com

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner Thursday - Sunday starting at 4:30 p.m.

World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212. Winter hours; Friday through Sunday and Mondays, 7 a.m. to noon. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place. 100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor.

Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from

Sunday Brunch

STARTING MARCH 1ST Bring in a church program to receive a free beverage of choice

Monday - Friday 8:00 - 3:00 6147 Highway 276 S. Bethel, North Carolina (at the Mobil Gas Station)

bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA 285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800.

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available. Located across from the Fire Station.

Live Music

SID’S ——————————————————

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117 Main Street, Canton NC 828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

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1863 S. Main Street • Waynesville 828.454.5002 Hwy. 19/23 Exit 98 SERVING LUNCH & DINNER CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

UPCOMING EVENTS

280-104

www.CityLightsCafe.com

FRIDAY, FEB. 20

Charlie & The Foxtrots Nashville, TN pop/folk

SATURDAY, FEB. 21

Karaoke w/Chris Monteith 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don't ask for the recipes cuz’ you won't get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC.

-Local beers now on draft-

280-09

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Open Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m and Sunday 7:30 a.m to 9 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics

CATERING & GROUP LUNCHES/DINNERS AVAILABLE Call: 828.587.2233

DOWNTOWN SYLVA • NC Mon.-Fri. 7-4 Sat. 8-4

280-83

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com

— Real Local People, Real Local Food — 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, North Carolina Monday-Friday Open at 11am

Smoky Mountain News

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, closed Wednesdays. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

Deli & So Much More

February 18-24, 2015

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

Café

280-102

us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

280-82

tasteTHEmountains

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26

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

A brush with fate Haywood artisan receives prestigious recognition

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER ust mere feet from a bustling South Main Street in Waynesville resides a cocoon of creativity.

With a steady stream of vehicles rushing by, one enters Jenny Bucker’s studio as if to step into a portal of a calmer ambiance.

Vibrant, intricate paintings hang from any available wall space, while the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair” echo throughout the cozy abode. Meandering around the rooms, the source of the song is not only located, but so is the person immersed in the melody, who faces a blank canvas ready to be adorned with the colors of the imagination.

“Art is the one thing I get so excited about that I forget to eat,” she laughed. “I’ve never enjoyed anything that Jenny Buckner much, and believe me — I love to eat and cook.”

Sitting down with Buckner, one immediately notices how shy she comes across. For an artist who puts her soul onto the canvas for the world to see, and perhaps critique, she avoids eye contact, keeps her bangs held low over her eyes, with conversation darting around until a comfortable subject of common ground is found.

“I have a very short attention span,” she confessed modestly. “I’m all over the place. I’m already thinking something else as I’m talking to you and looking around the room.”

And yet, the statement itself pinpoints Buckner, in style and in persona. As a painter, she constantly changes up her technique, almost as if to cover up her tracks before others can find her and pigeonhole who she “really is” as an artist. It is that unrelenting work ethic and internal drive of “catch me if you can” over a course of years which has resulted in Buckner becoming one of the most sought after painters in the Southeast.

“A painting creates an emotion just like a story does,” the 49-year-old said. “As long as you’re emotionally involved somehow, you’re going to keep on reading, you’re going to keep looking, keep being drawn into the story, into the painting.”

J

THE ROAD TO HAYWOOD

Growing up in Brevard, Buckner didn’t have art classes in her high school. She had a keen interest in art, and even thought of herself as quite creative. But, between the lack of school funds for programs and a haphazard mindset when attempting projects, Buckner

wanted to become a veterinarian. She even pursued a graduate degree in the major. But, that all changed when she fell in love with a friend from high school (who also went to N.C. State) who soon became her husband.

“I love plants and animals, but I decided that it wasn’t a career I wanted to do,” she said.

“My husband went on to medical school at Chapel Hill, so I started working odd jobs there to get him through college, then we had two children, and I stayed home, becoming a housewife.”

“After the ‘miracle,” I’d cry after finishing my first few paintings. It was so special to me,” she said. “Even now, I’ll say a prayer before I start each painting, just so that God will be with me when I’m painting.”

AWAKENING THE CANVAS

Bucker was 33 when she began putting paint to a blank canvas. She remembers how scared she initially was to approach the Twigs & Leaves Gallery in downtown Waynesville to see if they’d be interested in selling her work.

She’d never tried to put her creations out into the world, but as they say, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

“It’s all about getting in that first gallery,” she said. “And now, I’m in galleries around Western North Carolina, Atlanta and Palm Beach — I feel very blessed to be able to do so.”

“A painting creates an Atop either winning or placing high at regional and emotion just like a story national competitions, does. As long as you’re Buckner on a whim recently entered a floral painting emotionally involved contest put on by somehow, you’re going International Artist Magazine, a prestigious to keep on reading, worldwide publication. To her surprise, Buckner’s you’re going to keep painting “Timeless Pink III” looking, keep being was chosen as a finalist to be featured in their February drawn into the story, issue.

“There were finalists into the painting.” from Ontario, California, — Jenny Buckner Iceland, France, New York and British Columbia, and And for a while, then you turn the page and there’s little Jenny Haywood County painter Jenny Buckner works in her Waynesville that life suited Buckner. Buckner from Waynesville,” she chuckled. studio. ‘Timeless Pink III,’ which was picked to be featured by She had a great family Now headlong into her career, Buckner International Artist Magazine in its February issue. and a happy existence. aims to give back to the youth of her communiGarret K. Woodward photo • Courtesy of Jenny Buckner But, everything ty. Beyond the encouragement of an already changed when her hus- robust and supportive artisan collective in band was diagnosed Haywood County and beyond, she looks forwith multiple sclerosis. ward every year to the WNC Quick Draw. A The traumatic revela- popular event where folks from all artistic tion rocked her family, mediums come together to create a work withultimately placing in an hour, the evening serves as a fundraiser Buckner at an emotion- for art education in public schools and scholaral crossroads. It was at ships for graduating students pursuing artthat juncture when related college majors. everything changed.

“I would have loved to have had art when I “I was really was in school,” she said. “And this is a great depressed and I had this cause to get those funds and materials into the dream one night that hands of the students.”

God wanted me to Even though Buckner never had any formal paint,” she said. “So, the training in terms of learning how to paint, her next day I got some story is a testament to the will of those who paints and started paint- push ahead with their dreams, no matter the ing, and within a month situation they’re in, no matter the judgment by I had placed third in a others, no matter if at first you have no idea simply put any aspirations aside, for now. national contest — it really was a miracle.” what to do, and how to go about doing it.

“I was always interested in learning how to As if struck by a lightning bolt from above, “You don’t have to go through the motions do all kinds of things,” she said. “And I was the epiphany opened up a whole new world to to get to a certain point. It’s a freedom to know somehow good at a lot of things, but never Buckner. She had discovered an emotional, that everyone has that chance, that you don’t great at one particular thing.” spiritual and professional outlet connecting to have to go to art school to become an artist,” Buckner studied horticulture at North the world around her — she had found her she said. “With anything in life, the hardest Carolina State University and had initially calling. part is simply getting out the door.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Tools of the journalistic trade.

Garret K. Woodward photo

“I’ll start a conversation with someone in line at the bank, down an aisle at the grocery store, fueling up my truck, at the counter in a diner, during a concert or simply just sitting by myself and noticing the person a few seats down is alone, too.”

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February 18-24, 2015

Face-to-face communication is a lost art.

Besides the actual act of writing, my favorite part of being a journalist is conducting the interview. Everyday, I meet up with Boojum Brewing Company will officially open complete strangers and immerse their taproom and restaurant at 11 a.m. Feb. myself in their lives. It is a surreal 21 in downtown Waynesville. and incredible experience, one “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will hit the that only gets sweeter every year I stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19-21 and again at dive deeper into this profession.

10:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Hoey Auditorium at I specifically became an arts Western Carolina University. and entertainment writer because I’ve had this lifelong fascination Dirty Soul Revival (hard rock/blues) will and thirst for exploring the creperform at 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Water’n Hole ative process, what it does to Bar & Grille in Waynesville. human beings, and what it means to hone your “antenna” and conThe onstage radio broadcast “Robin Hood – nect to the energies of the cosmos The Legacy” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 around you. For the subject, I can in the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center imagine the idea of someone posat Western Carolina University. ing you questions about your life, Writer Thomas Rain Crowe will hold a your past and what you do is reading at 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at City Lights probably a little jarring. I mean, Bookstore in Sylva. how often are you quizzed about your existence?

So, for me, it’s all about makFor example, I sat down with acclaimed ing them feel comfortable, finding a common ground. The more I reveal about myself painter Jenny Buckner this week. Now, I’ve never met Jenny before, and she seemed a litin the conversation, the more they’ll reveal tle uneasy about how this interview would about themselves, where their walls come go. I could sense it, as I do with a lot of things down once I show vulnerability, where the interview isn’t one-sided. And over the years, I easily notice in conversation after all these through all the amazing interviews, there are years interviewing. So, I started talking about what I do as a journalist, my writing process ones you really got to push through the suband so on, in an effort to break through. ject’s apprehensiveness.

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Soon, her facial expressions, voice and mannerisms all changed. She was getting comfortable, ultimately opening up like a flower on a sunny day. It turned out to be a fantastic talk about creativity and what it means to be an artist in the 21st century.

Her work is absolutely beautiful, check it out for yourself: www.paintingsbyjenny.com. By the time I turned off my recorder, we had become friends — strangers no more. I walked out of her studio with a smile on my face and kick in my step, as per usual when I leave a great interview.

And I find that seem feeling washes over me, almost like a baptism of humanity, when I talk to people in every aspect of my life. With a rich Irish background, I guess you could say I possess the “gift of gab.” I’ll start a conversation with someone in line at the bank, down an aisle at the grocery store, fueling up my truck, at the counter in a diner, during a concert or simply just sitting by myself and noticing the person a few seats down is alone, too — I’ve never met a stranger.

It never ceases to amaze me how much someone will spill about their life within just five minutes of meeting them. It’s not that I’m trying to pry something out of them. It’s the mere fact nobody probably ever asks them how their day is, what their dreams are, and if they’re happy. Sure, at first, they may act a little caught off-guard, seeing as I am a stranger and they don’t know me, or my intentions. And I think it’s pretty sad in our modern world when people think you have some kind of hidden agenda, whereas in all actuality you simply feel like making a connection with another person.

That aside, I’ve found, more often than not, people are always up for chat when you engage them positively. Though they may open up slowly, the floodgates of their soul soon release. They smile. They laugh. They get sad. They might even cry. But, what remains, when both sides of the conversation depart, is a sense of clarity and camaraderie with your fellow man, where you realize deep down we are all a lot similar than we give each other credit for.

People (you, me, that person sitting next to you) are starving for conversation. I can promise you that. When was the last time you actually had an honest, hearty talk with someone you didn’t know? Strike one up. Do it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how wild, beautiful and rollicking those surrounding you are when you discover their essence.

Make eye contact. Be pure in your intent.

Speak up. Join in. Be a participant in this whirlwind universe we’re all part of and utterly curious about.

I really do feel I have the best job in the world. Find your passion, and pursue it with everything you’ve got — what do you have to lose? You only live once. This ain’t no dress rehearsal.

Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

BlueRidgeHeritage.com

27

arts & entertainment

On the beat HCC to offer sound recording, engineering Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Creative Arts Department will offer an Introduction to Sound Recording/Engineering class on Mondays from March 2 through May 18.

Students will learn how to set-up and operate recording equipment. Instruction will focus on the components in the audio chain; including microphones, cables, amplifiers, speakers and more. Some of the concepts covered are: gaining structure in audio systems, room acoustics, and the principles of sound. These include amplitude, frequency, wavelength, velocity and phase.

Throughout the course, students will gain hands-on experience of methods that can lead to a career as a music producer or audio engineer. Instructor for the course is Max Hupertz.

Cost of this course is $70 plus a $10 supply/lab fee. Students must cancel participation at least one week in advance for full refund. www.creativearts.haywood.edu or 828.565.4240.

An evening of traditional African music will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Performer Sean Gaskell is an Ashevillebased musician who plays the West African KORA, a 21-stringed, gourd-bottomed harp, which dates back more than 300 years and is native to the Mandinka people of

A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City.

Normally, Barnett starts by calling out a tune and its key signature and the group plays it together. Then, everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together.

The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — year round.

828.488.3030.

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Smoky Mountain News

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Willie Nelson to play Harrah’s

Bryson City community jam

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February 18-24, 2015

Traditional African music in Franklin

Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. Gaskell has studied with master Kora players in Gambia during multiple visits there, has been featured at music festivals in Gambia, Senegal, and throughout the United States, and has released an album, “Kora Music of West Africa.” He will also perform in the Macon County Public Schools on Feb. 19-20, through the Arts Council’s Artists-in-the-Schools Program.

The Arts Council and Macon County Public Library are co-sponsors of this event.

These programs are funded in part by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

828.524.ARTS or 828.524.3600.

BONDED & INSURED

Willie Nelson will hit the stage Feb. 28 at Harrah’s in Cherokee. Garret K. Woodward photo Legendary outlaw country singer Willie Nelson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Harrah’s Cherokee. A country-rock megastar, Nelson penned such classics as “Crazy,” “Always On My Mind” and “Whiskey River.” www.harrahscherokee.com.

GYPSY JAZZ HITS HAYWOOD LIBRARY Gypsy jazz/swing band One Leg Up will perform at 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville. Free.

On the beat

Multi-platinum country Mark Wills. music artist Mark Wills will Donated photo perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Wills is known for his hits “Don’t Laugh at Me,” “Wish You Were Here” and “I Do (Cherish You).” In 1999, his album “Wish You Were Here” was certified platinum. That same year, Wills received an Academy of Country Music award for Top New Male Vocalist. In 2002, he released his biggest chart hit, “19 Somethin,” which held the No. 1 spot for six weeks and was Billboard’s Top Country Hit of the Year. It was also named the second mostplayed song of the decade.

Tickets cost $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Balsam Mountain Inn will have Annie Sellick & The Hot Club of Nashville as part of their Songwriters in the Round series at 6 p.m.

Feb. 28. $47 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. 828.456.9498.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have Mike Pilgrim & Friends (gypsy jazz) on Feb. 20, Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Feb. 21 and 28, and Dulci Ellenberger (singer-songwriter) Feb. 27.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night on Feb. 18 and 25, and a jazz night Feb. 19 and 26. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Dead Soldiers Feb. 20 and Porch 40 (funk/rock) Feb. 26. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Through the Hills (Americana/folk) Feb. 20 and James Stinnet Feb. 27. Both shows are free and begin at 8 p.m.

• Tuck’s Tap & Grille (Cullowhee) will have a Juicy J After-party featuring Kaze & DJ PNominal Feb. 19, Hope Sets Sail local showcase (metal/pop) Feb. 20, Holy Ghost Revival (rock) and The French Broads (funk/rock) Feb. 21, DJ A-Minor Feb. 26, Nomadic (funk/electronic) Feb. 27, and The Burnin’ Hermans (blues/funk) Feb. 28. All events begin at 10 p.m.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Dirty Soul Revival (hard rock/blues) Feb. 20, Ashli Rose Feb. 21 and The Hooten Hallers with Chris Blaylock (blues/hard rock) Feb. 23. Both shows begin at 10 p.m.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present a Faculty Woodwind Recital Feb. 19 and Travis Bennett (horn studio recital) Feb. 21 and 24 in the Coulter Building. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

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• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Chris Minick & Sheila Gordon (Americana/folk) Feb. 19, Hunter Grigg 7 p.m.

Feb. 20, Through the Hills (Americana/folk) Feb. 21, Craig Summers & Lee Kram Feb. 26 and Ben Wilson 7 p.m. Feb. 28. All shows at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have an Open Mic Night Feb. 19 and Productive Paranoia (Americana/bluegrass) Feb. 26 (tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door). All events begin at 7:30 p.m. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

February 18-24, 2015

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Smokerise (southern rock) at 8 p.m. Feb. 21, Dave Desmelick (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m.

Feb. 27 and a comedy show 9 p.m. Feb. 28.

Both shows begin at 8 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Brian Sandeb Feb. 20, Gary Carter Feb. 21 and Pam McCall Feb. 27. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

PLAY THE HOTTEST SLOTS IN FEBRUARY

arts & entertainment

Wills to bring Nashville hits to Franklin

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Smoky Mountain News

February 18-24, 2015

arts & entertainment

On the stage

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‘Robin Hood’ radio production Presented as a live radio broadcast onstage, “Robin Hood – The Legacy” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The show, the seventh in a series of “academic-based entertainment” productions at WCU, will be presented in the style of a 1938 radio production with the cast, sound effects and orchestra all live on stage.

“Robin Hood” is a collaborative effort between two of the university’s colleges and three departments and involves students, staff, faculty and regional professionals.

In addition, members of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra will be joining music students for the WCU Artist-InResidence Orchestra to provide live musical underscore for the presentation.

Dr. Bruce Frazier, composer and music director who holds WCU’s Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professorship in Commercial and Electronic Music, said the original music draws upon a broad range of themes and influences.

Poems from 12th-century ballads about Robin Hood served as inspiration for the project. In the radio play, a troubadour relates the tales as they unfold, representing the wandering minstrels of the era who traveled from town to town spreading the news of the day. The original melodies that he sings are used elsewhere in the play as underscore to the dramatic action.

The program’s opening will feature the radio show orchestra performing masterpieces of British orchestral music from the early 20th century — music that harkens

Patrick Comb’s production ‘Man 1, Bank 0’ will be Feb. 28 at WCU. Jan Stary photo

One-man show coming to WCU

A live onstage radio production of ‘Robin Hood’ will be held on Feb. 26 at WCU. Donated photo back to the glories of the English renaissance and Baroque eras for inspiration. The production also will include expressive, interpretive dance choreographed by Karyn Tomczak, director of the dance program, and Amy Dowling, instructor of dance in the School of Stage and Screen.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or by contacting the Bardo Arts Center box office at 828.227.2479. All proceeds benefit student scholarship funds in the participating departments. dconnelly@wcu.edu or 828.227.3851.

The Galaxy of Stars Series will present the one-man show “Man 1, Bank 0” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The show is the true story of a man, Patrick Combs, who deposited a junk-mail check labeled non-negotiable into a bank account only to see things erupt into an adventure pitting a “David” regular guy against the “Goliath” of the banking industry. The production, which has enjoyed sold-out runs worldwide, is “an extraordinary tale of men in black, tense phone calls and a fake check for $95,093.35.”

As one might suspect, complications ensue, including angry banking officers threatening jail time and death, a leading authority on banking coming out of retirement, astonishing legal twists and worldwide media coverage.

Tickets cost $21 for adults ($15 in groups of 20 or more), $16 for WCU faculty and staff members, and $7 for students/children of any age. The show is sponsored by the Holiday Inn Express.

828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

On the street Guest travel bloggers needed Haywood Tourism Development Authority is currently looking for volunteer guest travel bloggers to contribute articles to its Homegrown Blog on www.visitncsmokies.com.

While the TDA staff contributes blogs on a weekly basis, they want to include more local voices and their passion for all there is to do in Haywood County. The posts are required to be specifically about a travel or tourism related topic in Haywood County as the overall goal is to encourage travelers to visit Haywood County. Each posting would also need photos submitted with it as well.

If you are interested in submitting a guest blog or have questions, contact Anna Smathers at anna@visitncsmokies.com. Include any sample writings or topics that you are interested in covering. If picked for a blog, the TDA will credit you for your work and include a short bio.

Father/daughter dance to be held in Sylva The 8th annual Father/Daughter Dance will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the First United Methodist Church in Sylva.

Daughters of all ages are invited to enjoy a wonderful evening of great music, desserts and punch. Every couple will receive a complimentary photo to remember the special event. Each daughter will receive a corsage and a party favor.

The fee for advanced registration is $30 per couple and $5 for each additional daughter. The price at the door is $35 per couple and $5 for each additional daughter. Registration

forms and payments should be received by Feb. 20. Mail these to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 296, Sylva, N.C. 28779. Registration forms can be picked up at the church office at 77 Jackson Street in downtown Sylva or filled out on the church’s website, www.firstumcsylva.org.

‘Mastering Your Energy’ through movement, sound Laura Elliot will lead a “Mastering Your Energy” class at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

This class encourages participants to become the master of their energy through movement and sound, using the body and voice as powerful instruments for healing. Attendees will learn movements of Qigong and Tai Chi, plus methods of vocal toning to relieve stress, strengthen vitality and restore balance in body, mind and spirit.

Elliot has been practicing energy medicine and the oriental exercises of Tai Chi and Qigong for over 15 years and is a certified Healing Touch practitioner.

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. Free.

828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

Kelsie Baker, Keller Fitzpatrick and Ben Baker of Boojum Brewing Company. Garret K. Woodward photo

Boojum to open Waynesville taproom Boojum Brewing Company, Waynesville’s newest (and fourth) brewery, will officially open its downtown taproom at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at 50 North Main Street.

Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. As well, they’re already open for growler fills and tastings at their headquarters in the Dellwood area of Waynesville (near the Lake Junaluska intersection) from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.boojumbrewing.com.

On the wall

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WCU to host Youth Art Month exhibit

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will present Beatitude Magazine and the 1970s San Francisco Renaissance

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• The “Frozen — Sing It Celebration” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $8. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

ALSO:

• The comedy/drama “Birdman” will be screened at the Highlands Playhouse.

Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and also 2 and 5 p.m.

Sunday. Tickets cost $9. For dates and more information, call 828.526.2695. www.highlandsplayhouse.org.

• A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 24, at The Bascom in Highlands. The focus will be on making unique ceramic rattles inspired by modern and ancient ceremonial rattles. Simple hand techniques will also be used in this project.

There will also be some carving, coil building and basic bead making. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

Smoky Mountain News

Western Carolina University will celebrate the artwork of local students with the 2015 Jackson County Youth Art Month exhibit March 1-23 at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

A reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 22, in the Bardo Arts Center. The reception will include an announcement of this year’s winners, who will be judged by WCU art education students. Cash prizes will be awarded.

The event is free and the public is invited.

Youth Art Month has been celebrated since 1976, and WCU began hosting a local event in 1988. This year’s exhibit will include the artwork of more than 300 Jackson County students from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Youth Art Month strives to emphasize the importance of art education and to promote

• The drama “The Theory of Everything” (Feb. 20-March 4) will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. For screening times, click on www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

Saturday, Feb. 21 3 p.m.

February 18-24, 2015

“Portraits & Portraits,” an exhibition of a selected group of portraits from the late Vadim Bora will run through March 6 in the Fine Arts Museum at Western Carolina University. A special reception and discussion of his work will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19, at the museum.

Bora immigrated from Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia in Russia to Asheville, where he kept an active studio and gallery for over ten years. Besides being a painter, he was a sculptor, philosopher, teacher, and an active creator of satirical political cartoons.

Classically trained, his drawings and paintings tend to shift stylistically as he worked more from the subconscious than from the use if models or any kinds of technology. He trained at the Vladikavkaz College of Art and the noted St. Petersburg Academy of Art. www.wcu.edu.

public support for quality school art programs.

This year’s participants will come from Cullowhee Valley School, Blue Ridge School, Fairview Elementary School, Summit Charter School, Smoky Mountain High School, Scotts Creek School, Smokey Mountain Elementary School, Jackson County School of Alternatives and Cherokee schools.

Sponsors include WCU’s School of Art and Design, Art Education Club, College of Fine and Performing Arts, Bardo Art Center, Fine Art Museum, and College of Education and Allied Professions and the Jackson County Arts Council.

828.227.3598 or etapley@wcu.edu.

Bookstore

76023

Oil painter Jeff Marley will give a demonstration of his alla prima (wet on wet) technique for creating quick, fluid paintings at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

Marley will include the use of palette knives, mediums and thick paint texturing as he demonstrates the painting of birds and a landscape. He will also discuss how this technique can be used in plein air Painter Jeff Marley will hold a demonstration painting (painting outdoors) and will March 3 in Bryson City. Donated photo provide a list of all the tools and accessories he uses.

Sponsored by the NC Arts Council, Swain County Center for the Arts and Swain County Schools.

This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the department of Cultural Resources.

Free.

arts & entertainment

Oil painting demo in Bryson

31

Books Larry Brown earns his spot in Southern pantheon O 32

Smoky Mountain News

Gary Carden

ne of my bookshelves is reserved for books that I have not read, but that I am saving for some special event. What I want is the pleasure of reading without a deadline hanging over my head. I actually buy books and put them on the shelf, reserved for “when I get the flu.”

Joe has been on that shelf for more than 15 years. Each time I take it down and read a page or two, I put it back. “No, that is too good to waste by “speed reading.” Take your time. OK, the time has come.

Larry Brown is an honored writer and is usually listed among Southern writers of significant merit. But the recognition came late, primarily because Larry Brown Writer was born in Oxford, Mississippi, the birthplace of William Faulkner. This “handicap” only made Larry work with more determination, and there are several documentary films on YouTube that give details about his persistence. Brown kept an assortment of “day jobs” to buy the groceries, but his stubborn persistence continued. Indeed, he may have collected the most impressive collection of rejection letters of any writer.

When success came, it was startling, with almost a half-dozen novels published in succession: Dirty Work, (1989) Fathers and Sons,(1996) Joe (1991) and Fay (2000). Critics usually compared him to Cormac McCarthy and Harry Crews. Then, Hollywood expressed an interest in his work. Larry was just beginning to enjoy his new-found popularity and speak with confidence about his plans for the future when he died suddenly of a heart attack in 2004.

When Joe opens, a desperate family of squatters are struggling along a Mississippi road in the blistering heat. The family consists of a listless and incoherent woman, her two daughters and a teenage son. The father, Wade, appears callous and indifferent to his family and is intent on scavenging. Gradually, the reader learns that these five people have

been on the road for years, and they are attempting to return to a derelict house where they once lived. It becomes obvious that Wade is afflicted with a moral degeneracy that is so profound he has become a social outcast.

Like Jeeter Lester in Erskine Caldwell’s Tobacco Road and Lester Ballard in Cormac McCarthy’s Child of God, Wade Jones has become bestial and unredeemable. However, there is a difference in Larry Brown’s depiction of helpless victims and malignant evil. There is a lack of compassion in Caldwell. Indeed, Tobacco Road often seems to possess a cruel humor. In Joe, the teenage son, Gary, struggles to pull the family together. As he builds a fire and feeds his deranged mother and feebleminded sister, it is evident that he has replaced Wade as the “provider.” In the days following the return to the decaying house, it is Gary who will look for work.

The title of the book refers to Joe Ransom, who isn’t exactly a representative for moral rectitude, but in this bitter tale from the hardscrabble land of Mississippi, he manages to acquire a kind of nobility. Joe is a contractor for a black workforce with the dubious job of “poisoning trees.” It is brutal work and the purpose is to remove scrub timber from a large tract of land which will be reforested.

Despite a violent temper and a Joe by Larry Brown. Algonquin Books, 1991. 345 pages propensity for drinking and

Cook releases debut novel in Franklin Tyler Cook will release his debut novel The One at a special release party at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

In the book, Eli Cooper never expects love to be this difficult. When someone from his past suddenly reappears, he can’t help but notice the attraction between the two of them. But sometimes, the people that you love may not love you back. Eli must find his way back from heartbreak, and discover a life where his love can be returned. But in order to do that, he must also face his demons, and overcome his greatest fear — revealing his deepest secret to the world.

In 2014, Cook released A Guide to Historic Dillsboro, a 125year commemorative book, which celebrates the historic town of Dillsboro, as well as raising money for the Appalachian Women’s Museum. He has also written many published articles that have highlighted the Macon County school system and Western Carolina

University.

Books Unlimited in Franklin will sell copies of both books at the event on Feb. 21. The event is cosponsored by the Macon County Public Library and Books Unlimited.

828.369.7942 or 828.371.8519 or moonshinepressnc@gmail.com.

Thomas Rain Crowe book signing Tuckasegee author and publisher Thomas Rain Crowe will have a book signing and reading at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

He will present Beatitude Magazine and the 1970s San Francisco Renaissance. Published by New Native Press, the book is a photographic history of the beat-inspired San Francisco literary movement of the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Artists and writers came from all over the country and the world to add their voices to a growing community where Rain Crowe had a front row seat. He also served as an editor for Beatitude Press. Rain Crowe is

womanizing, Joe seems to have a moral compass and despite the fact that he has spent time in prison (and seems fated to return), he has a reputation for fairness and honesty that makes him an ideal “boss.”

In effect, this book focuses on three male characters: Wade, whose lack of humanity and concern for others has made him a “wolf among men;” Gary, Wade’s son, who, despite his environment, has a stubborn drive to survive and provide for his family; and Joe, who seems to retain an instinct for decency and becomes a kind of surrogate father to Gary when the boy becomes a part of Joe’s workforce. Although initially reluctant, Joe ends up helping the boy acquire food and helps the boy buy Joe’s old van for a nominal fee. For Gary, the van means independence and a new life.

Many of the scenes involving Wade have a kind of dark, gothic humor. There are references to his having sold a child in the past and in one surreal episode, he casually murders a homeless man. A scene in which he manages to attend a drunken party at a university has a kind of nightmarish setting in which Wade manages to escape without being arrested. When Joe discovers that Wade is pimping for his retarded daughter, it prompts Joe to intervene ... an act that will have tragic consequences.

It is quite possible that Larry Brown intended to write a series of novels that would be interlocking in much in the same manner that the Chicago writer James T. Farrell did with his Studs Lonigan series. Minor characters in early works would become the protagonists of their own story. For example, early in Joe, Gary’s sister, Fay, decides to abandon the destitute Jones family and survive on her own. It is noteworthy that one of Larry Brown’s novels written after Joe is Fay. Maybe I need to take that one on next.

the author of numerous books, including Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods.

828.586.9499.

WCU welcomes Delpit Western Carolina University Department of Human Services will present writer Lisa Delpit for a one-on-one interview at 3 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 27, at the Killian Building in Cullowhee.

Author of Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom, Delpit is currently the Felton G. Clark Distinguished Professor of Education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was formerly executive director of the Center for Urban Education and Innovation at Florida International University in Miami, Florida.

The interview will be conducted by John Bryant, senior director of human resources for Henderson County public schools and a WCU doctoral student. klomotey@wcu.edu or 828.227.3323.

Harris to present new novel South Carolina author Elizabeth Harris will present her novel, What am I to do Now, Mama? at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Coy Bronson is a talented man who left the mountains of North Carolina to follow his dream to California. Despite many obstacles, Coy leans on his mother’s encouragement and develops a successful career as an actor, director, producer and writer — a career that takes him from Hollywood to New York and Europe during World War II. Harris began writing at a young age of 13. She was influenced and encouraged by her high school classmates to follow her dream of writing, but never became serious and kept it on the backburner until the last few years. She has enjoyed many countless days of research collecting all the uncovered information, which goes into her writing.

Runyon to present new poetry collection Poet Louise Runyon will read from her new collection, The Clearing, at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 27, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The collection explores the concept of “clearing” in the personal, geographical,

spiritual, individual and communal aspects of our lives. Poet and playwright Alice Lovelace said this of the book, “Runyon has written poems and stories that resonate with home, loss, hope, love, and leaving.

Her words are the language of geometry, dreams, memory, and the land.”

828.586.9499.

Bookmaking workshop with Woody The Creating Community Workshop for bookmaking will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

This style of bookmaking is easy to learn but hard to master. Accordion books are extremely effective for journaling, collage and simple pocket pages.

Gayle Woody will lead the workshop.

She has lived in Sylva and Cullowhee for over 50 years. She is currently the art teacher at Smoky Mountain High School.

She is a member of the Jackson County Arts Council and has won numerous awards for her art.

All materials will be provided and the program is free of charge. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Call the library to register. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

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34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Mountain thunder Maggie musher takes up snowless dog sledding

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER tepping into Kirk Wall’s custom-carpentered, immaculately decorated mountaintop home, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d knocked on the wrong door. Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, breakable horse figurines and pieces of pottery — not to mention, only trace amounts of dog hair — made it hard to believe that this place could be home to six large dogs.

But a sing-song howling had greeted me the moment Wall opened the door, and a glimpse into his first-floor bedroom revealed a row of six large dog crates bordering the wall opposite his bed. This had to be the right place.

Of course, in Western North Carolina, it’s not hard to find someone who owns six or more dogs. Wall’s pack is different, though, because they’re not your standard North Carolina hound mutt. They’re Siberian huskies — Natasha, Kiska, Qannik, Cheoah, Frankie and Typhoon.

Wall dubs his dog pack The Thundering Herd. They’ve got their own website and blog — their human does the updates on it, as paws aren’t great for typing — and spend their days embarking on adven-

S

tures and misadventures in the Western North Carolina backcountry.

“To me there is absolutely no better day in the world than to be on a trail in the Pisgah National Forest or the Blue Ridge Parkway,” said Wall, who is recently retired from a career in the financial industry. “You’re out on a trail with your dogs, yourself, your backpack. It’s awesome.”

AN UNCOMMON HOBBY Hiking is a relatively common hobby in WNC. But for Wall, it led him to pursue a notso-common pastime: mushing. Or, for those not familiar with the lingo of the far north, running a dog team.

“Everybody asks you, particularly when you’re walking six, ‘Where’s the sled?’” Wall said. “I was always just curious about it. How did you mush?”

He decided to find out.

Though his dogs are all rescues, Wall likes going to dog shows to see the best of the breed. At one of those shows, he met Karen Ramstead, 11-time Iditarod musher and willing advisor to a beginner like Wall. He got some advice, got some equipment and got to mushing.

The sport looks pretty different in the North Carolina Smokies than it does in Alaska or Canada.

“Here, you never get the snowpack you need to run,” he said.

Running a dogsled requires at least 6 to 8 inches of hardpacked snow, because the only way to stop the sled is using a big,

Qannik’s name comes from the Inuit for his shelter name of Snowflake. Holly Kays photo

pronged hook called a snowbreak. The snowbreak needs a certain amount of snow on the ground to do its job.

Wall has never used the sled he bought for snow mushing. Instead, he makes his runs on a wheeled contraption that’s part bike, part scooter and part dogsled. He stands on a small platform between two fat wheels. A gangline to which the dogs’ custom-made harnesses attach hooks into a ring on the front, below the handlebars, which feature handbrakes like a bicycle’s.

He’s got another scooter, too, that more resembles an actual dogsled. Instead of handlebars that allow him to steer, he directs the sled by the way he leans. And instead of pressing a handbrake, the sled uses a groundbrake much like the ones on snow sleds, but adapted for dirt roads.

Wall hasn’t used either sled this winter, though, because his pack is without a leader.

Any dog team involves four separate roles — lead, swing, team and wheel. The wheel dog is the one responsible for pulling the sled around obstacles and is usually the burliest of the bunch. The swing dog helps the sled swing around those obstacles. The team dogs just help pull. The lead dogs, however, have the most important role. It’s their job to route the sled, listening to the musher’s commands and combining those wishes with their own knowledge to skirt obstacles and avoid danger. Huskies are bred to think for themselves, a trait that makes the breed both entertaining and frustrating, depending on the situation.

“It’s all mental work, and it’s exhausting,” Wall said of the lead role. In longer races, the lead dog will typically switch out with the swing to rotate responsibility.

A TONGUE-IN-CHEEK NAME Wall’s lead dog, 12-year-old Natasha, learned the role almost by accident. When he hikes with the dogs, Wall connects their leashes to a waist belt he wears — the first rule of keeping huskies, he said, is to never let them run off-leash, because they won’t stop — and Natasha was quick to pick up on the commands for left and right.

“When we came to a fork in the trail I’d say ‘gee’ or ‘haw,’ and she would take the correct fork,” he said.

That made things a lot easier, because teaching the first lead dog how to do its job is the hardest part. After that, another dog can learn just from being hooked up beside the lead. In The Thundering Herd, Cheoah had been that student.

But then both Natasha and Cheoah got their knees hurt within weeks of each other,

Celebrate winter Smoky style Maggie Valley’s inaugural WinterFest Smoky Style will celebrate the best of the coldweather season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Amateur sled dog owners will compete in a weight-pulling competition, officially sanctioned by the International Weight Pull Association, and sled dogs, Plott hounds and police K9s from around the region will also show their stuff with demonstrations throughout the day. Of course, the weather is always a gamble.

“That’s why we are calling the event ‘WinterFest Smoky Style,’” said Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone. “We have no idea whether it will be sunny and dry, raining or a snowstorm.”

The cast of “Hillbilly Blood,” a Discovery Channel reality television show about surviving in the mountains filmed in and around Haywood County, will demonstrate survival skills, and there will be plenty of activities geared toward children.

Friday morning, 9 a.m. to noon, the Lens Luggers Photographic Association will add their interpretation of celebrating winter with a photography seminar, followed by a guided photo shoot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the next morning. The club will sponsor a photo contest for $7 per entry, with prizes for first, second and third places.

In addition to the daytime festival Saturday, banquet dinners will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at the Maggie Valley Inn. Proceeds from banquet and festival admissions will benefit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter, a newly formed nonprofit aiming to raise money to build a new county animal shelter. www.winterfestsmokystyle.com.

both in separate, non-mushing-related instances. While they recover, Wall doesn’t have a lead and The Thundering Herd is out of harness.

They’re still thundering away, however.

When I stepped outside to say hi — the dogs love cold weather and often don’t want to come in at night, even when temperatures dip into the teens, Wall said — the huskies were on their hind legs with excitement. Especially Typhoon, a 2-year-old male with one blue eye and one brown.

“You know it’s trouble when you name a dog after a natural disaster,” Wall laughed.

Typhoon is not technically part of the dog sled team yet, since last winter he was too young to mush. But the “thundering” adjective still applies to the team, Wall said, and is more of a self-deprecating joke than it is an intimidating team name.

In a well-trained dog team, “the dogs get into a rhythm and are as

F

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Kirk Wall enjoys some playtime with half his dog pack.

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quiet as can be,” he said. “Therefore, calling a team ‘The Thundering Herd’ is a joke because they’re not supposed to be thundering. They’re supposed to be quiet.”

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WinterFest is designed to be fun, but it’s also designed to prove a point, Wall said.

“We know in the summer all the towns in this area work really hard to have events every weekend,” he said. “Why can’t we have them in the winter?”

Sure, North Carolina isn’t exactly known for its epic snowfall, but WNC has a ski resort and plenty of hiking trails, biking routes, local crafts and other ways to enjoy the region during cold weather.

“I’m approaching this whole thing as a long-term event,” Wall said.

For more than just dog mushing, but mushing is, obviously, Wall’s winter sport of choice. He’d love to see the event have its own officially sanctioned race in WNC, bringing in skilled headliners but also including smaller races for amateurs.

“It’s really not hard to do it at the level I do it,” he said.

It’s rewarding, though, and gives an energetic outlet to dogs Kirk Wall keeps a daily blog detailing — with photo that have been bred to run for documentation — the antics of his husky herd. Take a hours without stopping. look at www.thethunderingherd.com.

“They are very intelligent and very mischievous at the same they don’t have snow either unless they’re time,” Wall said. “It creates this dog you in Canada or something like that, so they never know exactly what it’s going to do convert to dryland rigs,” Wall said of mushnext, and it’s very entertaining.” ers further north.

Wall’s got an escape artist, an incessant There are icy patches amid the bare public speaker, a couch potato and a hyper ground, and dryland rigs just don’t work. jock — hilarity ensues every day.

Enter WNC, home of amazing scenery, “They are so much fun,” he said. miles of the dirt road needed for racing and Things are never boring in The clear ground for most of the year.

Thundering Herd.

Thunder with the herd

Rough boards await a master’s touch. Donated photo

A free program teaching green — and brown — thumbs how to get the most out of their veggie gardens will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 3, at the Canton Branch Library.

Jim Janke, a retired chemical engineer and Master Gardener Volunteer since 2005, will teach the class. Topics will include how to prepare and plant a garden to increase yield.

An information session about the Giving Garden at the Canton Branch Library and SeedLending Library at the Waynesville Library will precede the class, beginning at 5 p.m.

Presented by Haywood County Public Library, Haywood County Cooperative Extension, the Haywood County Master Gardener Program, Friends of the Library and the Master Gardener Volunteer Association. 828.648.2924.

February 18-24, 2015

Though I didn’t get to see Wall’s dogs in harness, I can easily attest to the fact that out of harness, they’re anything but quiet.

No barking, but lots of vocalization.

“What you get from them all the time is this sing-song talking,” he said. “You can kind of hear them when they’re talking back at you, and they have this lengthy vocabulary. I can get into a full-fledged conversation with them.”

Soon, he hopes to be able to tell his dogs all about how to hone their sledding skills.

On the planning committee for Maggie Valley’s inaugural WinterFest Smoky Style festival, Wall is excited to learn from the eight to ten mushers he expects to show up to demonstrate their sport.

“They’re really, really talented athletes.

They’re really good,” he said. “I’m the kid playing flag football in the backyard.”

Still, Wall doesn’t know of anyone else in WNC who runs a dog team. There’s no reason for that to be true, he said, and there’s no reason that Maggie Valley couldn’t host the country’s earliest or last dog race of the season.

“As you get to the end of that season,

“We could be that early race. We could be that beginning of the season,” he said.

“We are really the southernmost point that can have legitimate winter events.”

There are plenty of other places in the South with snowless dirt roads, but WNC also boasts chillier temperatures than other part of the region. For mushing, that’s important, regardless of whether the rig is set for snow or dry land.

“You can’t overheat the dogs, so it tends to be a winter sport,” Wall said.

outdoors

An introductory beekeeping class 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Haywood County Extension Building in Waynesville will unveil the mysteries of beekeeping for beginners. $50 and free for students under 18, including memberships to county and state beekeeping associations.

RSVP to 828.456.3575.

searchable database version of the directory later this year.

Root Cause connects customers and landowners, supporting sustainable forestry and local woodcrafts. Founder Lang Hornthal hopes to triple the number of listings in the Root Cause directory by summer, when the online directory is expected to launch.

Sign up at www.appalachiandesigns.com/root-cause. It’s free to join, and the directory will link to member websites.

For current positions available, please visit our website at

www.haymed.org/careers.aspx 35

Mark your calendar

outdoors

Ila Hatter

The weather is wintry, but spring is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for some of these upcoming springtime events.

■ The Discover Life in America Conference will be held March 19-21 in Gatlinburg at the Park Vista. The theme “Every Living Thing” will include presentations on snails and sponges, field trips in botany, birds and geology and educator-oriented workshops.

■ The Southeastern Recreation Research Conference will be held March 22-24 in Asheville, giving parks and recreation researchers and managers a chance to hear the latest research in outdoor-based leisure, recreation and tourism.

■ Pisgah Area SORBA will hold its Spring Fling April 3-5, celebrating the last day before seasonal trails close to mountain biking. The event is family- and dog-friendly with group rides and camping.

■ The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage will be held April 21-25 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The days will be full of guided hikes, classes and seminars on a wide variety of nature topics, including photography, art and cultural heritage as well.

■ The 42nd Annual Spring Wildflower and Bird Pilgrimage at University of North Carolina Asheville will be held May 2-4.

The event will feature seminars, garden

Trees talk at Smokies program

February 18-24, 2015

Trees have plenty of stories to tell, and naturalist Ila Hatter will relate their tales during a fireside chat 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Hatter, has more than 25 years of experience teaching the cultural heritage of plants. She will regale her listeners while they enjoy hot apple cider, sassafras tea and wild spice cookies during this Great Smoky Mountains Association program.

Located just inside the entrance to the park on U.S. 441, north of Cherokee.

RSVP to membership@gsmassoc.org or 865.436.7318, ext. 222 or 254. $15 for Great Smoky Mountains Association members and $35 for nonmembers, with a complimentary membership included.

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Smoky Mountain News

tours and a variety of field trips.

■ Wildflower Whimsy, May 8-9, at Highlands Biological Station in Highlands.

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Highlands Biological Station, will include a lecture, field trip, native plant auction and reception.

■ Heritage Life Skills IV, a weekend of classes in survival skills ranging from archery to food preservation to ham radios, will be held May 29-31 at the Haywood County Fair Grounds.

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outdoors

The Haywood Community College Wildlife Club prepares for last year’s Wild Game Dinner.

Donated photo

Game on (the table) at fundraising dinner An annual Wild Game Dinner hosted by the Wildlife Club at Haywood Community College will serve up a meal of homecooked wild game dishes while raising money for the student group.

The meal, held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds, will be potluck, with attendees requested to bring their favorite dish of wild game, vegetables or dessert. Bread and drinks will be provided.

New 5K looks for sponsors The fundraiser will support Mountain Discovery’s cross-country team and athletic, music and theater programs. The school is located in Bryson City but draws a large number of its students from Jackson County.

Registration and sponsorship information is online from the link on the side menu at www.villageofforesthills.org.

A.T. registration can prevent a crowded hiking experience

— those attempting an end-to-end hike of the trail in one season — are all hitting the trail around the same concentrated window, namely from early March to early April.

When too many people cram together at campsites, plants get trampled, trash accumulates and waste becomes concentrated, degrading the A.T. experience.

The registration system, though totally voluntary, can help hikers beat those crowds, even if it means starting out on a Tuesday for example, instead of a Saturday. It does not, however, provide guaranteed spaces at A.T. shelters or substitute for required permits.

Close to 300 people have registered so far. www.appalachiantrail.org/thruhikeregistration.

Traffic on the Appalachian Trail is expected to be high this year following the releases of trail-related movies “Wild” and “A Walk in the Woods” this winter, so the A.T. Conservancy has launched a new registration system to help hikers avoid the crowds.

“The solution is simple. The hikers need to spread out,” said Morgan Sommerville, the ATC’s regional director.

The southern end of the A.T. can suffer from extreme crowding because thru-hikers

Smoky Mountain News

A 5K to support Mountain Charter Discovery School is looking for sponsors for its April 11 event.

The inaugural Bubble Bunny 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held in the Village of Forest Hills, a community near Western Carolina University in Jackson County, and will be complete with bunny ears and bubble machines.

February 18-24, 2015

The evening will include live entertainment and a game and non-game calling competition. Door prize drawings — grand prize is a lifetime hunting/fishing license — a silent auction and a live auction will also be part of the festivities.

The evening will raise money to send students to the Annual Southeastern Wildlife Conclave, support a student scholarship and support additional learning opportunities for students. Admission is $5 for those who bring a dish and $10 for those who do not. Free for children 12 and under.

828.627.4560.

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outdoors February 18-24, 2015 Smoky Mountain News 38

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

New Satulah trail in the works and horticulturists marvel at the yearly display of wildflowers amid the high-elevation plant community.

Once realized, the Highland Plateau Greenway’s trail will provide a half-mile route to the summit through two lots the Greenway will purchase on Satulah Ridge Road. The trail will feature a small parking area at the bottom and traverse tunnels of rhododendron and mountain laurel spotted with flowering sweet pepperbush.

The project is expected to cost about $300,000 and take two years to complete.

Greenway board members Jim Green and Julian Franklin are spearheading fundraising efforts.

As part of the planning phase, the Greenway sent letters describing the project to all homeowners in the Satulah Ridge subdivision.

“Particular care is being taken that the trail become a valued asset for the neighborhood,” Satulah Mountain overlooks the town of Highlands. said Ran Shaffner, Greenway Ran Shaffner photo president.

So far, the reception has been Researchers at the Highlands Biological enthusiastic, Shaffner said.

Station climb Satulah’s slopes to study Send donations to Highlands Plateau botany on the evergreen heath bald, birdGreenway, P. O. Box 2608, Highlands, N.C. watchers track the raptors that use its cliffs, 28741. highlandsgreenway@nctv.com.

Community gardens in Sylva and Cullowhee are seeking growers and volunteers.

The gardens offer individual plots — and the tools necessary to cultivate them — for those who want a way to grow their own organic veggies and meet people who enjoy doing the same. Plots are free with the stipulation that half the produce gets donated to people in need.

Volunteers are also invited to weekly workdays to keep the gardens in tip-top shape. Year round, volunteers meet at the Cullowhee Community garden on South Painter Road on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to dusk and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. In Sylva, workdays are held Thursdays from 4 p.m. to dusk between March and November at the garden on Storybook Lane. sylvacommunitygarden@gmail.com or thecullowheecommunitygarden@gmail.com.

Outdoor youth leadership program debuts in Waynesville

A $30,000 grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation will help the N.C. Wildlife Federation further its mission of conserving and protecting wildlife and their habitats.

The 70-year-old organization runs programs such as Great Outdoors University, which exposes children and teens to the natural world who might otherwise not have those opportunities, and supports 14 Wildlife chapters statewide to mobilize community volunteers for conservation projects of all sizes.

“The N.C. Wildlife Federation is a great example of an organization that is empowering people in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state to promote environmental education, sustainability and stewardship,” said Leslie Winner, Executive Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

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Waynesville Parks and Recreation is launching a new youth outdoor leadership program in March, with weekly activities planned to build teamwork, teach outdoors skills and ethics and give students the confidence they need to enjoy the backcountry safely.

A mandatory meeting for participants and their parents will kick off the program, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

The program is for students ages 12-15, with a registration fee of $20. The March 5 meeting will detail additional fees associated with the program. Space is limited. Tim Petrea, 828.456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

N.C. Wildlife Federation wins $30K grant

February 18-24, 2015

Get growing at Jackson community gardens

Bills to get rid of the oil and gas extraction rules developed by the N.C. Mining and Energy Commission have been introduced in both the House and Senate of the N.C. General Assembly, with Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, signing on as a co-sponsor of the House version.

The rules spell out regulations for drilling and mining of oil and gas, setting the stage for a new era of energy development in the state following North Carolina’s lifting of the ban on hydraulic fracturing, called fracking. Fracking allows companies to cost-effectively get fossil fuels out of the ground where they couldn’t before, but many decry the practice as dangerous and environmentally toxic.

The rules are slated to go into effect 30 to 60 days after the beginning of the 2015 session — if no alternative bill is passed to disprove all or part of the proposed rules. If passed, the bills now introduced in the House and Senate would keep the rules from being implemented.

outdoors

Learn about the Highland Plateau Greenway’s vision to build a public trail to the top of Satulah Mountain at a public meeting held 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the Highlands Civic Center.

The mountain, whose 4,500-foot summit overlooks the town, was purchased in 1909 by the Highlands Improvement Society to protect it from commercial development — the state’s first land trust.

State bill seeks to strike down fracking rules

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A new program in Waynesville will look to train youth for outdoor leadership. Holly Kays photo

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40

WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Holly Springs Community Development Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, at the community building located at 2720 Cat Creek Road, Franklin. Food will be served. jsutton@frontier.com.

• Haywood County’s half-century of progress, present developments and future prospects will be discussed by Vicki Hyatt, editor of “The Mountaineer,” at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19 in Gaines Auditorium at the Lake Junaluska Visitor Center.

• A flag retirement is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at VFW Post 5202 in Waynesville. Open to the public. Anyone with a flag that needs to be disposed of can drop it off at VFW Post 5202. More info: 456.9346.

• Fontana Village Resort will hold a job fair from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 26 in Fontana Dam. For info. contact Blakely Clark with the Chatterbox Agency, 770.596.7080 or blakeley@TheChatterboxAgency.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Free tax preparation by trained volunteers certified by the IRS will be offered every Tuesday through April 14 at the Jackson County Public Library (3-6:45 p.m.) and the Jackson County Senior Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) - both in Sylva. For info, contact Donald Selzer (293.0074), senior center (586.4944) or library (586.2016).

• A small business owner’s roundtable will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the Haywood Community College’s Library Conference Room. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512 • A resume writing workshop will be offered at 1 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Macon County Public Library. Free, but reservations strongly recommended. 524.3600.

• A small business seminar entitled “Introduction to Facebook for Business Use” will take place from 5:308:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at SCC’s Jackson Campus. Free; registration required: www.ncsbc.net. For more information contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• An Electrical Code Update course for contractors will be offered from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, at Haywood Community College. $70. Students may register online by calling 627.4500, by visiting haywood.edu or going to HCC’s Student Services Building. Info: 627.4669.

• A small business seminar entitled “eBay for Beginners, No. 1” will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. Free; registration required: www.ncsbc.net. For more information contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• The next session in the Haywood Chamber Small Business Development Series entitled “Accounting and Tax Considerations for Small Business” will be presented by Lindsey Dills of Underwood, Dills and Associates CPAs from 8-9 a.m. on Feb. 24 at the Haywood Chamber of Commerce Board Room. Info: 456.3021 or mtinsley@haywoodchamber.com.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Jackson Campus. For more information, contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A free financial aid workshop is set for 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Waynesville Library. Laura Misner of the College Foundation of North Carolina will cover how to apply for financial aid and finding available grants and scholarships. Free; registration required. To register or info, call 356.2507 or email kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• A basic introduction to Microsoft Word class will be offered from 5:45-7:15 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. Free.

586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A workshop on basic computer operation will be offered for job seekers at 1 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Free. Space is limited. To reserve a space, call 524.3600.

• “How to Market Your Business on Facebook,” a small business seminar organized by Southwestern Community College, is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

For more information contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • The valor of the “Four Chaplains” will be commemorated at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Cherokee. The Four Chaplains – each of different faith traditions - gave the last life preservers to young men, some of whom survived, after their warship was torpedoed. For info, contact Roger at 488.8418 or rogerclapp@WATRnc.org.

• H. Ulbrich will present a seminar on "A Theology of Money" at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • A canned food drive is being held through March 2 at the Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.

• The Bascom winter bash will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta.

Tickets cost $200 each for the fundraiser, which benefits the Bascom Visual Arts Center. www.thebascom.org/bascombashtickets.

• A small business seminar entitled “Beyond the Basics of Using eBay to Sell Your Products, No. 2” is scheduled for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. For more information, contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• A Volunteer Fair organized by Southwestern Community College’s SCC Cares committee is scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 24 in the Burrell Conference Center on Southwestern’s Jackson Campus in Sylva.

Agencies and nonprofits interested in having a presence – as well as individuals interested in volunteering – can contact Amanda Allen for more info at a_allen@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4305.

• A small business seminar entitled “Opening an eBay Store: The Next Level, No. 3,” which helps you optimize your online marketplace, is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Southwestern Community College

• The Wildlife Club at Haywood Community College is hosting the ninth-annual Wild Game Dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. Fundraiser for students. Door prizes, silent

auction and live auction. Grand prize is a lifetime hunting/fishing license. Bring your favorite wild game dish, vegetables and/or dessert. Bread and drinks provided. $10 admission ($5 if you bring a dish). Children under 12 eat free. For info, call 627.4560.

• The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program has route openings for volunteer drivers Info: Jeanne Naber, Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator, 356.2442.

• Friends of the Library Book Sale Committee needs books for its annual sale on July 23-25. 627.2370.

HEALTH MATTERS • A pro bono clinic will provide physical therapy services to underserved and underinsured populations of Western North Carolina from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month on the first floor of the Health and Human Sciences Building in Cullowhee. For information, contact the clinic at 227.3527 or MAPPTClinic@wcu.edu.

• Four short films illustrating public health concerns, policy issues and ways communities are responding will be shown at 6 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

• Diabetes and chronic disease self-management trainings for ages 14-and-up will be offered by Macon County Public Health and Macon County Senior Services from 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 19. Diabetes training is followed by six weeks of chronic disease education and support from 5-7 p.m. on Thursdays. Light refreshments provided. Information: 349.2086.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 12:30-5 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. 800.RED.CROSS. • The Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 2:30-7 p.m. on Feb. 19 at American Legion Post #47 in Waynesville. 800.RED.CROSS. • The Red Cross will have a blood drive from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Lowe’s in Sylva.

800.RED.CROSS. • The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at North Canton Elementary School.

800.RED.CROSS. • The Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 1-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at East Elementary School in Whittier.

• A 12-session program for families and friends of individuals challenged by mental illness will be offered from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting Feb. 24, in Franklin.

Free, but pre-registration is required. Class size limited.

Contact: Ann at 369.7385 or Linda at 369.9838 • Laura Elliot will lead a “Mastering Your Energy” class at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Become the master of your energy through movement and sound. Free. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Evergreen Packaging in Canton.

800.RED.CROSS.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Yoga for Outdoor Fitness will be taught for free from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 18 at REI Asheville. Registration required: www.rei.com/event/64604/session/108617.

687.0918.

• A GoPro basics class entitled “Getting to Know Your GoPro” will be offered for free from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at REI Asheville. Fully charged GoPro is strongly recommended. Registration required: http://www.rei.com/event/50858/session/108556.

687.0918.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

POLITICAL CORNER • The NAACP will hold a membership meeting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21 at Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva.

• North and South Jackson County Republicans will meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Ryan’s in Sylva. The agenda includes final plans for the Jackson County Annual Convention on March 20. Republicans, voters and others interested are invited. For info, call Ralph Slaughter at 743.6491, email jacksonctygop@yahoo.com or visit www.jacksoncountygop.com.

• The annual organizational meetings for all Haywood County Democratic precincts, except Hazelwood and Saunook, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 or Feb. 24 at the polling location for each individual precinct. The Hazelwood Precinct will meet at 6:30 pm on Feb. 23 at Democrat Headquarters in Waynesville. The Saunook meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Saunook Fire Department in Waynesville. For info about meeting date and location, contact your precinct chair or call 452.9607 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Learn how to play Mexican Train at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25-26 at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

Free. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Kid Zumba for ages 4-11 will be held from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on Thursdays from Feb. 19-April 9 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. $45 for members; $85 for nonmembers. Register by Feb. 18. For information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053.

• Spring soccer registration will be held from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, Feb. 9-27 at the Recreation Department in Cullowhee. $40 for new participants; $35 for returning fall 2014 participants.

Games will be on Sunday afternoons starting in late March. For info, contact Jonathan Parsons at 293.3053 or jonathanparsons@jacksonnc.org.

• High-performance volleyball clinics for fifth through eighth-grade girls will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays from March 19-May 14 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Fee: $50. Registration has begun.

For information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053.

• A “SciGirls” program for area girls age 9-14 will be from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Transylvania County Extension Office in Brevard. This month’s activity is “The Buzz About Bees.” $10 participation fee. More info at: www.pari.edu. Participants can register at www.pari.edu/programs/students/scigirls.

• Salamanders of the Gorges will be the topic of a program at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Gorges State Park in Sapphire. Meet at the Visitor Center Auditorium.

• A “Neat Newts!” hike will be held at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Gorges State Park in Sapphire. A half-mile moderate hike. Meet at the Grassy Ridge/Rainbow Falls trailhead.

• Innovative Basketball Training will be offered for girls and boys ages 6 and older on Sundays from March 1 through then end of May at Waynesville Recreation Center. Training for ages 6-11 will be from 4-5 p.m.; ages 10 and older is from 5-6 p.m. and ages 12 and older is from 6-7 p.m. Cost is $80. For information, contact Derek Thomas at 246.2129.

• Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. 452.7680.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sylva (586.1170) and Waynesville (456.9999) Lowe’s stores. Free.

Kids movies • A new animated movie will be shown from 2-6 p.m. on Feb. 19 in the meeting room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Rated PG and running 1 hour, 37 minutes, the show centers around a purehearted fairy living in a peaceable kingdom until an invading army threatens the land’s harmony. Info: 524.3600.

• “The Book of Life” will be screened at noon and 2 p.m. every Saturday in February at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Free. Rated PG. 1:35. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• The “Frozen — Sing It Celebration” will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $8. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Oscar-nominated movie “Guardians of the Galaxy”, rated PG-13, will be screened at 2, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva.

586.3555 • Family movie time, 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Family movie time, noon Feb. 28 at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Free family movies are shown at 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Disney, Hallmark and other family-oriented movies.

488.3030.

• Family movie time, 4 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Family movie time Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. at Albert Carlton, Cashiers Community Library. Free with popcorn. Call for title. 743.0215.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

• The Classic Wineseller will host a wine tasting featuring five Cabernet Sauvignons from five different California appellations from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, in Waynesville. $15 per person, plus gratuity.

Reservations: 452.6000.

• Multi-platinum country music artist Mark Wills will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Wills’ popular hits include: “Don’t Laugh at Me,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “I Do (Cherish You).” Tickets: $20. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Imago Theatre’s “FROGZ,” a family-friendly show combining Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics with masks, mime and music, will be presented by Western Carolina University at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Bardo Center in Cullowhee. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

• Three members of the faculty of Western Carolina University’s School of Music will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the recital hall of WCU’s Coulter Building. The free performance will feature Alicia Chapman on oboe, Will Peebles on bassoon and Shannon Thompson on clarinet. They will be accompanied by pianist Lillian Buss Pearson. For info, 227.7242 or Shannon Thompson at thompson@wcu.edu.

• Producer, songwriter and rapper Juicy J will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Tickets: $11 for WCU students; $21 for non-students. www.ticketreturn.com or 227.7722.

• As part of the Western Carolina University School of Stage and Screen’s theatrical season, “The Rocky Horror Show” will be on stage Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21, at Hoey Auditorium in Cullowhee. Show times are 7:30 p.m. all three nights with an additional 10:30 p.m. showing on Saturday.

Tickets: $21 adults; $16 seniors (age 60 and older), faculty and staff; $7 for students. Audience members interested in participating with traditional interactive props and talk-back lines need to request special seating and pay $5 extra at the door. For tickets, call 227.2479 or visit www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ann and Nancy Wilson will perform with their band Heart on Feb. 21 at Harrah’s Cherokee. Ticketmaster.com. Info: mifisher@cherokee.harrahs.com.

• Balsam Mountain Inn will have Annie Sellick & The Hot Club of Nashville as part of their Songwriters in the Round series at 6 p.m. on Feb. 28. $47 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. 456.9498

NIGHTLIFE • Innovation Brewing in Sylva will have an Open Mic night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville will have an Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. www.38main.com or call 283.0079.

• Chris Minick & Sheila Gordon (Americana/folk) will play at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have a jazz night Feb. 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. www.innovationbrewing.com.

• Mike Pilgrim (mandolin), Don Mercz (guitar), and Drew Kirkpatrick (guitar) will perform a Gypsy jazz tribute at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 and Feb. 28 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Brian Sandeb Feb. 20. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Through the Hills (Americana/folk) at 8 p.m. on Feb. 20. Free.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Dirty Soul Revival (hard rock/blues) on Feb. 20. Show begins at 10 p.m.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present Travis Bennett (horn studio recital) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 24 in the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

• Hunter Grigg (Folk) will play at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 and Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• HART Theatre will hold auditions at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 for principal roles in its 2015 season in Waynesville. Info at www.harttheatre.org.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Dead Soldiers Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have Productive Paranoia (Americana/bluegrass) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 (tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door). www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• Joe Cruz will play piano and perform the best of the Beatles, James Taylor and Elton John at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• “Robin Hood – the Legacy” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. Presented in the style of a 1938 radio production, the show is a collaborative effort between two of the university’s colleges and three departments, and it involves students, staff, faculty and regional professionals. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Ashli Rose Feb. 21 at 10 p.m.

• A “Drum Circle and Raw-Mazing potluck dinner” starts at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin. Bring a dish to share and a drum; drums also available at event. sanmardan@yahoo.com or 332.7118.

• “Plaza Suite” will be performed from Feb. 27-March 1 at Feichter Studio of the HART Theatre in Waynesville. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Harttheatre.com or 456.6322.

• The High Mountain Squares will host their “Fifties Dance” from 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin. Glen Walters from Greer, S.C. will be the caller. Western-style square dancing, mainstream and levels. Everyone welcome.

For info, call 371.4946, 342.1560, 332.0001 or visit www.highmountainsquares.com.

• Patrick Combs will tell the true story, “Man 1, Bank 0” (about a man who deposited a junk-mail check labeled “non-negotiable” into a bank account) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at WCU’s Bardo Center in Cullowhee.

This show is part of the Galaxy of Stars Series. Season subscriptions are $120/adults; $110/WCU faculty and staff; $45 students and children. Single-show tickets

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Smokerise (southern rock) Feb. 21. Show begins at 8 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Gary Carter Feb. 21. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Through the Hills (Americana/folk) Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have The Hooten Hallers with Chris Blaylock (blues/hard rock) Feb. 23 at 10 p.m.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have Porch 40 (funk/rock) Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig

Summers & Lee Kram Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Free.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Singer-songwriter Dulci Ellenberger (guitar, vocals, melodica) will perform Americana, oldies, pop, and originals at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $10 minimum purchase.

452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have Pam McCall Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. Free. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have James Stinnet Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. Free.

• Dave Desmelick performs at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Bearwaters Brewing Company in Waynesville.

• Bryan Loy and Paradise 56 will be playing at 9 p.m. on Feb. 27, at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. $2 coverage charge with food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have a comedy show at 9 p.m. Feb. 28. Show begins at 8 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Ben Wilson Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Through the Hills will be playing at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva on Feb. 28 at 8:30 p.m. $2 coverage charge with food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

BOOKS & AUTHORS • Author and Southwestern Community College instructor, Chris Cox, will review and read from his new book of essays, “The Way We Say Goodbye,” at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the Lake Junaluska February Book Review. Info: 456.6720.

• Haywood County’s half-century of progress, present developments and future prospects will be discussed

by Vicki Hyatt, editor of “The Mountaineer,” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 19 in Gaines Auditorium at the Lake Junaluska Visitor Center High Tea, February 18, 3:35, Cost $12.

• Franklin native and Western Carolina University alumnus Tyler Cook will hold a release party for his debut novel “The One” at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at Macon County Public Library in Franklin. To reserve a copy, call 369.7942. For info, contact Cook at 371.7942 or moonshinepressnc@gmail.com.

• Tuckasegee author and publisher Thomas Rain Crowe will have a book signing and reading at 3 p.m. on Feb. 21 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. He will present “Beatitude Magazine and the 1970s San Francisco Renaissance.” To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

• South Carolina author Elizabeth Harris will present her novel “What am I to do Now, Mama?” at 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The novel is about a talented man who left the mountains of North Carolina to follow his dream to California. 586.9499.

• Poet Louise Runyon will read from her new collection The Clearing at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. The collection explores the concept of “clearing” in the personal, geographical, spiritual, individual and communal aspects of our lives.

586.9499.

• Western Carolina University’ Department of Human Services will host Lisa Delpit, author of “Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom,” for a one-on-one interview at 3 p.m. on Feb. 27 in Room 102 of the Killian Building in Cullowhee. For information, contact Kofi Lomotey at klomotey@wcu.edu or 227.3323.

Smoky Mountain News

A&E

are $21/adults; $16/WCU faculty and staff; $15/person with groups of 20 or more; $7 students and children. Tickets and info at: 227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

February 18-24, 2015

• Oscar nominated movie “Big Hero 6,” rated PG, will be screened at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

• The eighth annual Father-Daughter dance is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at First United Methodist Church in Sylva. Registration deadline is Feb. 20. www.www.firstumcsylva.org.

wnc calendar

• A Spring Break Adventure Camp for fifth-througheighth graders will be from March 9-13 at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. $225 fee includes transportation and all activities and equipment. Dropoff at 7:45 a.m.; pick up at 5:15 p.m. Register by March 2. For info, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053 or jenniferbennett@jacksonnc.org.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Creating Community Workshop for book-making will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Led by Smoky Mountain High 41

wnc calendar

School art teacher Gayle Woody, the workshop will cover an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master style. Free. All materials provided. Limited to 10 participants, so register by calling 586.2016.

• A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 24 at The Bascom in Highlands. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

• A Cooking Tips Winter Potluck is set for 1 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Canton Library. Enjoy homemade food, get cooking tips and receive new recipes. Bring a sample of your favorite recipe. Drinks and tableware will be provided. Info: 648.2924.

• Make it with Michael’s Workshop: Art Journal will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Michaels in Waynesville. Class combines art, crafting and journaling. $20, including supplies. 452.7680.

• A multimedia seminar on composition and winter photography, presented by Don McGowan and Lens Lugger Photographic Association, starts at 8 a.m. on Feb. 27 at the Maggie Valley Inn. $40 fee includes refreshments, handouts, Think Tank Photo Bag drawing. 20 percent discount for early registration. For info, contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• The Lens Lugger Photographic Association has scheduled a guided “Winter Wonderland Photo Tour” field shoot on Feb. 28. The half-day event starts with a meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Maggie Valley Inn. Tour includes Oconaluftee Visitors Center, Elk and Mountain Farm Museum, Mingus Mill, Mingo Falls and Oconaluftee River. $85 fee. 20 percent discount for early registration. For reservations, contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• Submissions for the WinterFest Smoky Style photo contest sponsored by the Lens Luggers Photographic Association may be made between 2-3 p.m. on Feb. 28. For info, contact Bob Grytten at 627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

February 18-24, 2015

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • A discussion focusing on the work of the late Russian-born artist Vadim Bora and reception is set for 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum. A selection of portraits created by Bora will be on display at through March 6.

The FAM is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday through Friday with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursday. For a full calendar listing or info, visit fineartmuseum.wcu.edu or call 227.3591.

• New art by Canton native Clint Hardin will be on display in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library during the month of February. For a guide to the pieces in this display, visit http://clinthardin.blogspot.com/. 524.3600; fontanalib.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Contemporary Craft Series exhibit featuring the

in the meeting room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. For movie title call: 524.3600.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. work of metal artist Mike Sluder will be on display through Feb. 22 at The Bascom in Highlands. www.thebascom.org or 526.4949.

CALL FOR VENDORS / SPONSORS • A WinterFest Smoky Style highlighting sled dogs, Plott hounds, canine demonstrations, local reality TV stars and more will be held from Feb. 27-March 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Includes photography seminars, guided winter shoot and a photo contest. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter. $2 admission for adults; $1 for children. $15 per meal. Vendor applications at http://winterfestsmokystyle.com or search for the event Facebook page.

• A 5K to support Mountain Charter Discovery School is looking for sponsors for its April 11 event. Bubble Bunny 5K Fun Run/Walk that will be held in the Village of Forest Hills and will be complete with bunny ears and bubble machines. Registration and sponsorship information is online from the link on the side menu at www.villageofforesthills.org.

FILM & SCREEN • “Gone Girl” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 at The Strand in Waynesville. Tickets $6 www.38main.com or 283.0079 • “The Interview,” rated R, will be screened at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva for free. Food and beverage for sale.

586.3555.

• Oscar-nominated movie “The Theory of Everything,” rated PG-13, will be screened at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville for free. Food and beverage for sale. 586.3555 • Oscar nominated movie “The Theory of Everything,” rated PG-13, will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville, Feb. 20-March 4. For screening times, click on www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• Free Movie, 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie. 586.2016.

• Oscar nominated movie “Birdman,” rated R, will be screened at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Mad Batter Food and Film in Sylva. Free. Food and beverage for sale. 586.3555.

• A classic movie will be shown at 2 p.m. every Friday in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room.

524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org/franklin.

• A movie will be shown at 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays

• A Level II fly-tying clinic will be held by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-noon. Free, requires pre-registration. 877.4423. www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah. aspx • An “Introductory Beekeeping Class” is set for 8:30-4 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Haywood County Extension Building in Waynesville. Cost is $50, which includes $10 for a 2015 membership with the Haywood County Beekeeper’s Association and $15 for NC State membership. Free for students under 18. Call 456.3575 to register.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials will introduce Superintendent Cassius Cash to the public on Feb. 24 from 4-6 p.m. at the Historic Calhoun House in Bryson City. Light refreshments will be served.

• “The Wildest Woman in America: A Discussion with Will Harlan” will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 26 at REI Asheville. Free. Harlan will offer a 10-minute slideshow and a Q&A time about his experience shadowing Carol Ruckdeschel, who survives off the land in an island wilderness, wrestling alligators, etc.

Registration required: http://www.rei.com/event/64839/session/109499.

687.0918.

• A program to introduce a high-quality, table-top telescope to the public is being held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. For info, call 524.3600.

• Learn basic navigation skills using a map and compass in a class from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, at REI Asheville. $30 REI member/$50 non-member.

Registration required: http://www.rei.com/event/43656/session/108557.

687.0918.

•Extension and Community Association group will meet at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, call N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009 • The Master Gardener Association’s plant sale, featuring native nectar perennials that help monarch butterflies and honeybees remain in the area, is ongoing through March 13. Get an order form by calling 456.3575 or by writing erin_freeman@ncsu.org or mgarticles@charter.net. Proceeds fund educationrelated horticulture projects in Haywood County.

• The Sylva Community Garden and The Cullowhee Community Garden have individual plots available for adoption. All necessary tools and materials for growing an organic garden are provided. Adopting a plot costs no money but rather one-half of all produce is donated throughout our community. For more info: sylvacommunitygarden@gmail.com or thecullowheecommunitygarden@gmail.com.

HIKING CLUBS • Carolina Mountain Club’s 7.5-mile hike of Bracken Mountain – Brushy Creek Trail will be held on Feb. 18.

1,400-foot ascent. Contact Stuart English at 384.4870.

• A moderate “Winter Day Hike” of 3-6 miles will be held on Feb. 21. Meet at 9 a.m. at Cullowhee Recreation Center. $5 activity fee. Register by Feb. 18.

For information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053.

• The Carolina Mountain Club is holding a nine-mile hike with a 1,200-foot ascent on Feb. 22. Carpools form at 8:30 a.m. at Westgate and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9 a.m. Contact leader Stuart English (384.4870 or stuengo@comporium.net).

• A half-day, five-mile hike of Chambers Mountain, organized by Carolina Mountain Club, is set for Feb. 22. 1,500-foot ascent. Meet at Home Depot at Exit 44 off I-40. Contact leader Bruce Bente at 692.0116, 699.6296 or bbente@bellsouth.net.

• “Trees Talk” will be the topic of a Great Smoky Mountains Association program, featuring naturalist Ila Hatter, from 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the old Oconaluftee administration building outside of Cherokee. $15 for members; $35 for nonmembers (complimentary membership included). RSVP to: membership@gsmassoc.org or 865.436.7318, ext.

222 or 254.

280-88

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

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ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 42

Outdoors

• A litter reduction meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Room A227 in the Jackson County Justice and Administration Building. Visit www.WATRnc.org/Litter for links to ant-litter programs.

For info, call Roger Clapp at 507.9144.

FARM & GARDEN • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

ON-SITE LIVING ESTATE SALE Must Sell Everything in 3 Days!

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No Early Sales.

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

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AUCTION

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February 18-24, 2015

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Call Monday - Friday 800.662.7419 HIRING OTR PROFESSIONALS Who want Consistent Milesaverage 2,800+; consistent payaverage $51,400 per year; 2012 or newer trucks; call Fischer Trucking today at: 1.800.486.8660.

FINANCIAL

NEED MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES! Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experienced Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122 THE NAVY IS HIRING Top-notch training, medical/dental, 30 days vacation/yr, $ for school. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419 WELDING CAREERS Hands on training for career opportunities in aviation, automotive, manufacturing and more. Financial aid for qualified students.

Job placement assistance.

Call AIM 877.205.6458.

DELETE BAD CREDIT In Just 30-DAYS ! Stop getting turned down because of bad credit.

Free to start! A Rated W/BBB Call Now! 855.831.9712 SAPA SELL YOUR STRUCTURED Settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don't have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1.800.316.0271 SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.371.1734 to start your application today!

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

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FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA REDUCE YOUR PAST TAX BILL By as much as 75 Percent. Stop Levies, Liens and Wage Garnishments. Call The Tax DR Now to see if you Qualify 1.800.396.9719

1151 Maine St. in Bryson City

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 - 5 pm or by Apt. 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL TIME ROOM ATTENDANTS, ALL SHIFTS.

STARTING PAY IS $10.00 PER HOUR

• COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM • UNLIMITED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES • MEDICAL INSURANCE (INCLUDING DENTAL) • PAID VACATION • PROFIT SHARING AND 401K PLAN • 5 DAY WORK WEEK

Call Bill Gourley or Riley Vernon at 828-648-2313 for an appointment.

KEN WILSON FORD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Also accepting applications for the positions of: Assembly | Quality Inspectors | Material Handlers Finishing Press Operators | Molding Press Operators Painting Operators These are temp to hire positions for the right individuals. If you are hard working, dependable, have a verifiable work history, and are looking for a good job with a great company, we want to talk to you. Direct Hire positions are also available DOE. Must bring two forms of id & Be able to pass drug screen & background check

648-2313 1-800-532-4631 I-40 AT EXIT 31 CANTON

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IF YOU HAVE A VEHICLE That can tow at least 7,000 pounds, you can make a living delivering RVs as a contract driver for Foremost Transport! Be your own boss and see the country.

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KEN WILSON FORD SALESPEOPLE NEEDED GREAT Product • GREAT Place to Work!

If you have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, NEAT APPEARANCE AND DESIRE to become the very BEST, we offer you the career of a lifetime!

44

EMPLOYMENT FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following position: Grounds Technician. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378. Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu. CRC Preferred Employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

OmniSource Staffing is an EOE For more information call us at (828) 538-4328 or visit us at www.omnisource.net for more

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

HOMES FOR SALE

COMM. PROP. FOR SALE BEAUTY SHOP IN FRANKLIN, NC Turnkey, 950 sq. ft., 4 Styling Stations, Separate Wax Room, Break Room, Washer/Dryer, Located in Downtown High Traffic Area Near School. Available Now! For more info call 828.421.3792 from 8-5, or 828.639.2671 after 7pm.

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Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

FOR SALE GEORGIA PECAN 5-DRAWER CHEST 40� x 32� x 22�, From the Mary Cornwell Estate. Nice Color a Must See! $3,150 For more info call 828.637.2342.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

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RE/MAX — Mountain Realty • • • • • • •

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NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

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CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, North Georgia Mountains. **WINTER SPECIAL: Buy 2 Nights, 3rd FREE** 1,2,& 3 Bedroom Cabins with HOT TUBS! Virtual Tour: www.CavendarCreek.com Call Now Toll Free 1.866.373.6307 SAPA

WNC MarketPlace

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VACATION RENTALS

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 280-10

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

45

www.smokymountainnews.com

February 18-24, 2015

WNC MarketPlace

Super

46

CROSSWORD

SHALL I COMPARE THEE?

73 Fisher using more off-color language?

76 Believing in one God 80 “Remember the -!”

81 “Splendor in the Grass” director Kazan 82 John of lawn tractors 83 I, to Klaus 84 Import taxes 86 Allen being more sly?

90 Venue 91 Big company, investment-wise 94 Swirly letter 95 Around, as a year 96 Warble 99 “I - film today ...”

(Beatles lyric) 103 Buck looking more sickly?

108 Nobelist Bohr 111 Fleur-de- - (iris) 112 Andean pack animals 113 Light collision 116 Minnow, e.g.

118 Weird things 121 Duchamp showing more serenity?

123 Chastised loudly 124 Kowtow, say 125 Brown slowly 126 Grinning villains, often 127 Nobelist Irish poet 128 Rococo

ACROSS 1 Scared 7 Side of a cut gem 12 Fighting junk e-mail 20 GMC truck 21 Sunni’s god 22 “Mona Lisa” painter 23 Danes wearing more frills?

25 Easily caught baseball hits 26 TV reception enhancers 27 Tend the soil 29 Court mallets 30 SSgt., e.g.

31 Steel city in the Ruhr 33 Feldman acting more bashfully?

36 Time spent in office 38 Rubbish 41 Angry with 42 “Modern Family” airer 45 Certain quadrilateral 47 One who’s worshiped 51 Griffin suffering more pain?

56 Vacuum tube variety 58 Pastoral tract 59 Spanish for “houses” 60 Prefix with mobile 63 Charles of chair design 64 Founding father DOWN Franklin 1 Leaning 66 Hemingway feeling more uptight?

2 Engaged man 69 Noblewoman 3 Parish leader 70 Flowers from Mexico 4 Singer India.72 Med. scans 5 Papas of “Z”

6 Mends, as holey socks 7 Less true 8 - carte menu 9 Film teaser 10 British noble 11 2003-07 Fox drama series 12 High mount 13 Revived: Prefix 14 First-rate 15 “Actually ...”

16 Gunfire burst 17 Nosy sort 18 “Someone Like You” singer 19 Lichen-filled 24 Film’s actors 28 Uterus 32 Drug busters 34 Hoopster Ming 35 Newspaper employee 37 - tai 39 “Button it!”

40 - polloi 43 Happened to 44 “Mad Money” host Jim 46 Bad guy 47 Pakistanis’ neighbors 48 Not foreign, as policy 49 Lyric works 50 “Judge not, - ye be judged” 51 Tirana’s land: Abbr.

52 Dee lead-in 53 Vendor’s pushable vehicle 54 “Do - say, not ...”

55 “Grease” director Kleiser 57 Hunting dogs 61 Old Glory’s country

62 One being examined 65 “Thor” actress Alexander 66 Old Balkan region 67 Lilly of drugs 68 Come to light 71 Jackie’s #2 73 “Curses!”

74 Jai 75 Basso Siepi 77 That girl’s 78 Here, to Fifi 79 Fidel’s friend 82 Immerse 85 Opposite 87 Pretend 88 Long-jawed fish 89 Biblical beast 92 Philips rival 93 Attire 95 Lunar feature 97 Defames in writing 98 - jet 100 Keys of R&B 101 Least naive 102 Singer Simpson 103 Ruses 104 John on the Mayflower 105 Chili server 106 Boxer Griffith 107 Fortuitous 109 Pole dance?

110 “Oh My My” singer Ringo 114 Lion’s locks 115 “SOS!,” e.g.

117 Drescher or Tarkenton 119 Gift for music 120 Many GPS lines: Abbr.

122 Gathered

answers on page 42

PERSONAL HERO MILES To find out more about how you can help our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need, visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org SAPA MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978 18+. SAPA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

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SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION COMPUTER CERTIFICATION ONLINE Train at home to become a Help Desk Professional or MCSA certified! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Call CTI for details!

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YARD SALES ON-SITE LIVING ESTATE SALE Must Sell Everything in 3 Days!

Whole House - 2 Bedroom & Living Room Full, M&M Collection of NASCAR & Everything Else, Antiques, Art & Much More!

Located at 71 Iris Lane, Canton Cruso Area. Feb. 19th - 21st, 9:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m.

No Early Sales.

WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 42

Wild turkeys in the yard.

Don Hendershot photo

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Countin’ in the cold had originally intended to spend today (Monday, Feb. 16) doing a couple of short surveys for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. But Sunday morning amid more and more (and more and more dire) weather forecasts warning of some pretty heavy winter weather coming our way I began to contemplate counting Sunday instead. Around 9 a.m. Sunday I peeked out the downstairs window. Well, in my yard were 17 wild turkeys. It looked like a large group of jakes and gobblers.

Hard to pass up on 17 turkeys for your first GBBC tick so I restocked the feeders and took a turn around the backyard. It was chilly and blustery, around 24 degrees with a 15 mph north wind, but there was decent activity, which increased rather quickly when the pine siskins discovered their buffet was ready. I estimated (conservatively) 70 siskins. I recorded 16 species for my yard.

Since I was in the counting mode and all the forecasts were still threatening us with awful Monday weather, I decided to head to Lake Junaluska. It had warmed up a couple of degrees but the wind coming across the lake felt even colder. Some of the waterfowl

I

that normally hang at the lake during the winter were there in good numbers.

The large raft of ruddy ducks (I counted 75) was present, I also had at least 30 ringnecked ducks, at least 50 American coot, 20 pied-billed grebes, 17 ring-billed gulls and 11 buffleheads. A small group of female and/or immature canvasbacks that have been on the lake since late autumn were still present.

I saw two female redheads and two greater scaup, one male and one female, mixed in with five lesser scaup. I wound up with 34 species between by yard and Lake J, not a bad tally for about four hours of birding on a cold mid-February day.

DOCUMENTING THOSE RARITIES And, I’m happy to say, it looks like GBBC officials accepted the “75” pine siskins.

Regular readers of this column may remember a few years back when we were inundated with those little brown streaked eating machines all winter — I recorded 80 pine siskins on my GBBC submission, and told, politely that I must have been mistaken.

Well this year I had photos, and while there is no way for me to photograph all those birds in one frame I could show huge num-

bers on the ground plus show the deck railings and hanging feeder full too.

No doubt, photos are a great way to seal the deal when it comes to rarities. But, I’m a little ambivalent about the weight photos (or not having photos) seem to carry with regional compilers and/or different rare bird committees. It seems that more than a few are all too ready to dismiss rare sightings without photographic evidence, even if the bird was viewed by two or three knowledgeable birders with good looks.

The lesson, here, for birders is twofold; birders should try and get a photo of any rarity they want to submit for recognition even if it’s a fuzzy one from your cell phone.

You would be surprised what some people can tease out of a poor photo. But birders should also study the kind of characteristics

that distinguish species and be prepared to immediately (in the field) document with descriptions and/or field sketches the characters they used to identify the bird. And we’re not talking about Sibley-like or Peterson-like field sketches — it’s more the dimensions and absence or presence of features — i.e., if you wanted to differentiate between a hairy and downy woodpecker you would draw a beak that was as long as the head is wide for a hairy or shorter than the head is wide for a downy. To differentiate between a ruby-crowned and goldencrowned kinglet you would note the presence or absence of an eye ring.

Was that an ivory-billed?

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

February 18-24, 2015

A

bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

In this issue:

PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

SUBSCRIBE:

Smoky Mountain News

Q&A with author Ron Rash Chattanooga Choo Choo • Mountain Trail Days Mountain festivals make a splash Trout derby anglers count their catch

www.smliv.com OR

866.452.2251

47

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